THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM

"I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven." -- Mat_16:19.

ALTHOUGH THESE words were spoken to the Apostle Peter, there is a intense sense in which every true disciple of Christ can exercise the power of locking and unlocking the door of Faith, Hope, or Love for some one else’s soul. You may be aware of some one who is in deep trouble, is broken with some overwhelming fear, or is fighting some habitual sin such as drugs, alcohol, immorality, or the like. You try to obtain that person's confidence, endeavor to find some way of escape, promise some much-needed assistance, speak words of cheerfulness and encouragement, and in this way you have unlock the door of the dark cell in which they have been incarcerated. The demonstration of your complete sympathy and help has released them from that awful direction and shown them the right way. Is this not a true use of the power of the keys of the Kingdom?

Or could it be that some one you know is suspected of doing some evil things which is not true about them and completely wrong. You listen carefully to the story from both sides, and you make an effort to put this matter right; you take steps to bring out the truth and honesty of the motives to those who have got the wrong impression and misjudged the person who has done nothing wrong.

Perhaps it is a boy or girl whose life is clouded by some embarrassing situation from which it seems impossible to get free from. By your friendly counsel and experience you are made possible to unlock the prison door and liberate this young soul.

Look out for these opportunities of Christian service, for the life which is hidden with Christ in constant fellowship has the extraordinary power in setting free lives which are bound in chains of iron. Above all, we can point this chained soul to Christ our Lord.

PRAYER:
He breaks the power of cancelled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His Blood can make the foulest clean,
His Blood avails for you and me. AMEN.