"Captivity Captive", He Is Able Page 095 at http://www.he-is-able.com/page095.html


	Captivity Captive


Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them. Psalm 68:18. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Ephesians 4:7,8.



Captivity is translated in the Bible from shibyah, which means "exile". Captive: a root word and the phrase "led captive" is translated in the Bible from shabah, which means "led away into captivity". Using those definitions, Psalm 68:18 and Ephesians 4:8, led captivity captive, means simply, "Jesus, Himself, led away into captivity that which exiled (separated) us from God." What is it that separates us from God? S-I-N. When one is in a state of captivity, they have been exiled (separated) from freedom--they are captured, overcome. Captivity captive! What a tremendous declaration! When Jesus Christ completed God's Perfect Plan of Salvation, by His ascension back to heaven, not only did He overcome sin, He took it captive! That which once bound us is subject unto Him! Glory to God, that's shouting grounds! ...Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin...If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:34,36. *Free indeed!* Hallelujah! Sadly, so many cannot get a grasp on these things because they have such a grip on "the world". Material things are the only objects of value in their existence--they cannot understand life in the light of eternity, where that which is unseen is of the greatest value. II Corinthians 4:18 tells us, While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Captivity captive. As Paul told the Philippians, Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:1. Along with the other things you can think on that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, remember these two words: *Captivity captive. The more you think about those two words, the closer you come to realizing the perfection of God's plan of salvation for us! No longer, I said, NO longer* do we have to be bound by sin; NO longer do we have to wait until an annual day of atonement rolls around; NO longer do we have to pray in a particular geographical location; NO longer do we have to get this person or that person to ask forgiveness of our sins! Jesus Christ individualized it for each of us: He is The Door through which we can enter the very presence of God and boldly approach the Throne of Grace! Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

You know, 'tis a grand thing to be set free from bondage. Ask anyone who has ever been captured--taken prisoner. They can describe it for you. When they are set free, those who held them in bondage no longer have any power over them! Ask any addict who has overcome the bondage of addiction--let him (or her) explain the joy of their freedom! Yet, by His death, resurrection and ascension back to heaven to stand on the right hand of God the Father (making daily intercession for you and me), Jesus did more than merely set us free: *He CONQUERED ALL* that could ever hold us in bondage! And for whom did He do this? WHOSOEVER. WHOSOEVER therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 10:32. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world THROUGH HIM might be saved*. John 3:16,17. Jesus said to Martha, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And WHOSOEVER liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?* John 11:25,26. Acts 2:21 tells us, WHOSOEVER shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For WHOSOEVER* shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.* Romans 10:13. WHOSOEVER shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. I John 4:15.

Glory to God! We CAN be set free from the bondage of sin. HOWEVER, there is MORE to being "free" than just "set free". We want to STAY FREE from the bondage of sin, Amen? And how is that accomplished? For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? I John 5:3-5. The NIV puts it this way: "This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." It is foolishness in its fullest to be SET FREE from something ONLY to turn around and be caught in its clutches again! That's why Jesus made Captivity Captive! Not only did He conquer that which binds us and separates us from God--He took it Captive! He overcame it so that we, THROUGH HIM, can overcome it!

Yes, it is TRUE--WHOSOEVER shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. But Jesus also warned us: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven... Matthew 7:21. Huh? Is the Bible contradicting itself? Of course not! The Word of God does NOT contradict itself. The rest of that verse reads: ...but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Let me ask you a question: what is the point of telling someone we love them and then continually breaking their heart? When I was a child, I told my parents often, "I love you." What if I had never shown that love? What if I was always dishonoring them, shaming them? Sure, they would have still loved me, but it wouldn't have been a very good witness of the love I claimed to have for them, would it? Far too many times, we who "profess" [to be followers of] Christ confess God with our lips and deny him with our lives. Words are much easier to say, and even easier to listen to, than the application of them to our lives. It's one thing for me to "talk" about the saving Grace of God--the more difficult part of my witness of Him comes through living it! Far too many can listen, far too many can "talk about", but then they completely forget about "walking the walk". Matthew 7:21 directly addresses that.

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But BE YE DOERS of the word, and NOT HEARERS ONLY, deceiving your own selves. James 1:21,22. Yes, it IS good to faithfully attend church. It is good to sit and listen to the preachers and teachers. But there's more to the "Christian walk" than merely listening: we've got to "walk the walk"! James 1:21,22 just said that, Amen? The Living Bible puts James 1:21,22 this way: "So get rid of all that is wrong in your life, both inside and outside, and humbly be glad for the wonderful message we have received, for it is able to save our souls as it takes hold of our hearts. And remember, it is a message to OBEY, not just to listen to. So don't fool yourselves." The NIV reads, "Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." It is because Jesus Christ made "Captivity Captive" that we are able to not only "describe" the goodness of God, but live the witness of it in our daily lives! We are overcomers through Him! These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33. And how did He do that? By taking "Captivity Captive!"

Understand this: ...for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, the dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. II Peter 2:19-22. We cannot, in and of ourselves, overcome all that is in this world. We have not the strength, the knowledge, the power, nor even the inclination to do so. But through Christ, who took "Captivity Captive", we can overcome the temptations of this world. We can live a victorious, CHRIST-like life. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. I John 2:15-17. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. I John 4:4. Captivity has been taken captive by Jesus Christ. Don't be held in the bondage of sin any more! You don't have to be! Come to Christ, let Him take away the sin in your life. He took it Captive, that THROUGH HIM, you can be set free from its bondage and live a life of freedom and victory!
(all emphasis on scriptures, such as bold, underline or uppercase, is mine) "Captivity Captive" Copyright © 2002 by Patricia Sikes. All Rights Reserved.

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