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MEDITATION D 4
This meditation is an exploration of our freedom. In an earlier meditation we saw ourselves as prisoners. We were captives of Satan, and we were in chains. These chains are a figurative representation of the habits of a sinful life which have become an accepted and natural part of our daily living. In part four we had a picture of the cords that bound us being cut, and the chains that held us captive being broken. Now we can picture ourselves moving out into freedom. In our imagination we can see how we shake off the broken cords and chains, how we rub the affected parts, how we stretch the limbs and flex the muscles. At first painfully, but then with increasing ease, freedom of movement is restored.

This freedom is precious, and it is also vulnerable. We need not just to become free, but to be kept free. Having been released, we need to be protected, so that we do not become trapped and made captive again. It is an awful possibility that having tasted freedom, we can still be tempted back to our old ways. In this connection remember the story of Lot's wife (Genesis 19). The protection however is available. It is called the armour of God. We shall be looking at this in greater detail later on. For now just read the passage and let it be the basis of your meditation. It is Ephesians 6 verses 10 to 18. 'Put on the full armour of God ..... ' In your imagination just do that.

MEDITATION D 5
In the first of our meditation experiences in part four, the image that we had was of our sinful nature being put to death. The sources of sin in our lives were nailed to the cross and crucified with Jesus. Paul said, "We died to sin". The picture now is of a new birth, a being born again to a new way of life. We can turn our thoughts now to this image using some scriptural passages as a starting point.

John 3 vv. 1 to 8.
This is the record of the meeting between Jesus and Nicodemus concerning the necessity of being born of the Spirit. Jesus said " ... no-one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again". Then later he explained, "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit."

John 1 vv. 12 and 13.
How are we born of the Spirit? By believing and receiving. 'Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.'

Romans 8 v. 11
'And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.'

1 Peter 1 v. 23.
'For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.'

The different meditations give variety, and can be used on different occasions. Bearing in mind that sanctification is a process, the meditations need to be repeated over a period, perhaps indefinitely. We have to be aware of a danger, that is that we imagine our old way of life, and justify it as the way of Jesus. If we become aware of anything that we are doing that is not in accordance with Scripture, then we need to be concerned, and pray for this to be changed. Do not be put off from meditating. Used wisely it is a useful tool, and the Bible and prayer are your safeguards.

Take some time to read and study Ephesians 4 v. 17 to 5 v. 20. This is a good summary of repentance or the process of changing lives. It gives a picture of our new life in Christ. It also leads us naturally into the next part of our study.