I have talked about how easy it is for anyone to give up on anything, but there’s another dimension to this.
There is another part of us that is unable to do anything and unable to make moves to experience freedom.
It is unrelated to the human willingness to remain in perpetual bondage but a subconscious plus a master-class act of the enemy that makes anyone unresponsive.
It is similar to the bizarre experience you have in dreams when you are unable to do anything, especially when you are “pressed” to the bed against your will. I believe some understand what I am trying to convey.
Judges 16:18-21 NET 18 When Delilah saw that he had told her his secret, she sent for the rulers of the Philistines, saying, “Come up here again, for he has told me his secret.” So the rulers of the Philistines went up to visit her, bringing the silver in their hands. 19 She made him go to sleep on her lap and then called a man in to shave off the seven braids of his hair. She made him vulnerable and his strength left him. 20 She said, “The Philistines are here, Samson!” He woke up and thought, “I will do as I did before and shake myself free.” But he did not realize that the LORD had left him. 21 The Philistines captured him and gouged out his eyes. They brought him down to Gaza and bound him in bronze chains. He became a grinder in the prison.
The enemy weakens you and makes you unresponsive to the slightest impulse.
I will give one more example.
Jesus encouraged Peter to pray so that he could escape the temptation. I believe Peter wanted to pray. He probably made attempts.
He made bold claims that he would
Luk 22:31-34 NET 31 “Simon, Simon, pay attention! Satan has demanded to have you all, to sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33 But Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!” 34 Jesus replied, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know me.”
He tried. He was too weak. If he had prayed, the story could have been different.
This was the inertia state of man. It consists of the inability to do anything even though you want to, and it represents the weakest state of any man.
It is the most vulnerable condition that anyone cannot escape.
Jesus saw his willingness, and He prayed for Peter.
So, Jesus, having been through all our problems prays for us all the time.
Heb 4:15-16 NET 15 For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.
I feel like if Jesus does not pray for us, we will still be saved but not victorious here on earth.
Heb 7:25 NET So he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Yes, Jesus is still very busy in heaven working on our behalf.
Rom 8:34 NET Who is the one who will condemn? Christ is the one who died (and more than that, he was raised), who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding for us.
Hallelujah!