“And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.” — John 11:43–44
Interestingly, the scripture above is the story of how Jesus Christ raised a dead man called Lazarus from the grave. It illustrates the reality of how many of us are today — both saved and unsaved.
Dead men can’t undress themselves
First, it speaks about those who are the living-dead without Christ in the world: they don’t even know they are dead, because they are spiritually dead! They are dead and clothed with graveclothes like Lazarus, and need the help of Jesus Christ to bring them to life — so that the graveclothes can be removed from their lives. As long as they remain dead, they cannot free themselves from the bondage of graveclothes, no matter how much they try.
Saved — yet still bound
Secondly, it also speaks about those who have been called out of the grave (darkness) and translated from death (the grave) to life in Christ Jesus — but who yet still carry the graveclothes of darkness with them everywhere they go, even into the kingdom of God and of His Christ!
This has become a problem in Christendom today, as we see many people who are truly born again but look no different from a sinner. But Christ said, “Loose him, and let him go.” It is still the same command that Christ gives to such believers today!
He rose in new clothes
Interestingly, note that when Christ resurrected from the grave, He came out in new clothes — the newness of life! He went into the grave for sinners, bound with graveclothes meant to keep Him bound — but at resurrection, He put them away!
The same goes for you — whether you want to surrender to the resurrection power of Jesus Christ for the newness of life, or you who have truly given your life to Christ but still carry these graveclothes, walking around defiling the kingdom of God and His church.
Name your graveclothes
Put away every graveclothes of unforgiveness, malice/quarreling, hatred, bad habits — fornication/adultery, drug abuse, lesbianism/gay, masturbation, gossiping, lying, fighting; lust of the eyes, flesh, and pride of life, etc.
The pleasure you derive from these acts will hinder your progress in Christ! Or maybe it is the demons of the kingdom of darkness that refuse to let you go. But the Good News is: the power of God is still available to help you overcome all — if you truly want to!
It does not matter how much you have prayed thus far. What matters now is the fact that your reading of this message today will surely bring you positive testimony — for we are positioned by God, at a time like this, to help walk you out of such a predicament. Some of the listed items, and many others, simply require the right knowledge (psychology) — while others need a powerful prayer (the spiritual side).
Letting go is a choice
Psychologically speaking: you can simply CHOOSE to let go of every negative thought of hurt you have experienced in the past. It is a choice to set yourself free from the past that still haunts your future!
For example: if someone offends you — no matter who the person may be, and whatever they may have done against you — it is your duty to let them go by forgiving them from your heart. It may be your spouse, parent, relatives, friend, neighbours, or someone you may even call your enemy. The fact is: the more you keep them in your mind, the more you will never be free to attend to your future opportunities with the joy of life that awaits you. Those you keep in your mind are freer than you who hold them there!
Prayers will not bring them out of your mind — only the choice to let go can! Even God said, “Forgive those who trespass against you, and you shall be forgiven” (see Matthew 6:14–15). And note: you have, once upon a time, offended someone — knowingly or unknowingly. It is therefore your sole responsibility to let go of such.
Some knots need stronger hands
But spiritually speaking: you will need someone full of the Holy Spirit, with greater authority, to cast out every devil responsible for your predicament. Note that Lazarus, from our text, could not loose himself — he needed the help of others who were free from the bondage of graveclothes!
Here lies the folly of some people who go about seeking help from so-called spiritual men who themselves need help — who themselves need to be free from graveclothes which they hide from the eyes of men, pretending to be free. Be warned: only a free hand can loose a bound one!
As a believer, you must choose to let go of things that shame the name of God — or contact us if you need any spiritual help, for free, and we will gladly respond.
Come out of the grave today
If you are still in the grave (i.e. not born again), please take this opportunity to access your freedom from the power of darkness into the joy of life in Christ Jesus — and contact us immediately for a special gift we offer new converts, as you confess this prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I come to You today because I believe You died on the cross to give me new life. I ask You to come into my life and make me a new person from today. Take away every graveclothes wrapped around me, forgive me my sins, and clothe me with Your righteousness. In Jesus’ name! Amen!”
Check it for yourself — that's the Bereans habit. If this note raised a question, bring it to The Bereans Table or WhatsApp us directly.