Sho Baraka & Lecrae ft. After Edmund “Shut Us Down.” (If you don’t immediately see the video, refresh your page.)
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? Ephesians 4: 8, 9 (KJV)
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:11-12 (KJV)
Jesus “Lead Captivity Captive & Gave Gifts to Men”
In taking captivity captive the Lord Jesus made us free from the bondage of sin and delivered us from the law of sin and death. Jesus led the victory march over the powers of death and hell itself, and gave to us the gift of power over them, so that we can successfully resist temptation as one who belongs to the King of Glory. Hallelujah! This is wonderful news.
The Lamb of God destroyed the enemy of our souls and gave us the authority and power to triumph over the works of the devil in His (Jesus’) name. The Lord also gave us gifts (which are a kind of power), that help us fulfill His purpose for our lives on Earth. With such lavish riches of power and grace we can live lives where we need never be ashamed.
When we know our gifts and use them according to the will of God, we will never experience “confusion of faces” (lose face), or fear “men and their faces” (human scorn). Those who follow Jesus should never be ashamed, period. This is a source of great hope to all who struggle in this world. Because Jesus led captivity captive and gave gifts to men, women, and children:
- You don’t have to allow yourself to be seduced or used because you want to feel loved or because you hope to one day have a spouse.
- You don’t have to plan to fight or kill someone because you feel humiliated or want to get even.
- You don’t have to take drugs or drink alcohol to feel that you are powerful and have courage.
- You don’t have to abuse your wife and family to feel good or important.
- You don’t have to steal from your boss because you think you don’t get paid enough.
- You don’t have to live your life caring for children as a single parent.
- You can hold out for a Godly spouse with whom you can raise God-fearing children.
- You don’t have to spend what little money you have on “things that are not food.”
- You don’t have to live a life that is lonely and without purpose.
- You don’t have to die and spend an eternity in hell.
Do you know what gifts the Lord has given you? (If you don’t, isn’t it time to spend time in prayer and self-reflection to find out?) What habits and realities do you have power over today? Are you ready to experience God’s power of deliverance? Are you an evangelist, a prophet, a teacher, a pastor, or something else? You don’t have to waste your gifts. The choice is yours.
Reflection: Knowing that the word of God is true, I know that Jesus is victorious over all the works of the enemy and that He has given us power over them. Knowing that Jesus gave us the gift of power to serve Him in this world, I can choose to edify the church. But what if I’m too lazy or tired to even look into what gifts I have? So what do I pray for?
I pray like this: Gracious and loving Heavenly Father, I praise your holy name! Thank you Lord for Jesus. Hallelujah, Father, Jesus led captivity captive and gave gifts to men. Lord, I know that I cannot understand or grow in my gifts without you. Lord help me to live in you, even as the branch draws strength from the tree. Place in my heart a desire to know what gifts have been given to me. Give me power over the many things in this world that would hinder me from living your will for my life. May all I do, Lord, bring glory to your name. Help me to know, that will life in Christ, I need never be ashamed. These things I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen, and Amen!
-Verneda
Twitter handle: @vlights
© 2012 Verneda Lights. All Rights Reserved.
The video “Shut Us Down” by Sho Baraka, ft. Lecrae and After Edmund was uploaded on Youtube.com. Verneda Lights and E-graphX Omnimedia have no ownership in this video. It is used for educational purposes only.
