Unchained by Grace

Unchained by Grace

Frank sat down in his usual seat and opened his black notebook. He turned to page 106, the next blank page. He wrote the date in the top right corner. In the center of the page, he drew a small square and wrote “church” within the confines of the box. He added a small steeple and cross for effect.   

He looked around, making eye contact and nodding to a few “brothers and sisters” who gave him the “stink eye” in return. Frank had again violated one of the cardinal rules: No hats allowed in church. 

“If that’s my greatest sin, I’m a righteous man compared to these people!” he thought. He left his hat on and refocused on his notebook. He noted the time on his watch–11:00 a.m. Two hours and a wake-up, and Frank would be a free man.    

Frank listened intently to the first few words of the sermon, “God is in control…” Frank yawned, fatigued by the same elementary messages he heard week after week. 

Frank wrote in his notebook, “I feel like a petty criminal who is court ordered to weekly community service. Only the “judge” who mandates church attendance is “The Judge” of the Universe–All Mighty God! “I’m a prisoner with no chance for parole. It’s a life sentence,” he grumbled. 

Frank resented being drafted into the contemporary Christian church army. He resented God. He felt like an empty vessel that was once full but had been drained of all its meaning and purpose. 

When it was just he and God, life was good. He read the Bible on his own and developed an intimate relationship with God. 

But something changed. He wondered if he had committed some unpardonable sin, far worse than leaving his hat on in church. A sin that would require his presence every Sunday to hear the Word from a “qualified and vetted man of God.” Frank thought, “This punishment does not fit my crimes.” 

But there he was, feeling incarcerated, though no chains were around his ankles.  

Frank flipped the pages of his Bible, looking for inspiration. His doodlings were beginning to resemble Gary Larson’s comics, “The Far Side.” Frank’s single-panel comics reflected dark humor from the back pew of the contemporary church.

And then, as if a Divine wind blew across the pages, Frank’s eyes were drawn to God’s inspired word. Frank read: 

“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you” John 15:15 (NKJV).

Frank removed his hat as he sat in silence listening to the words of the Holy Spirit speaking to him from within, not without. These were the words that opened the relationship between Frank and Jesus so many years ago. It’s when he accepted Christ into his life. And here it was returning to him after falling away while sitting in the same pew year after year. 

Unchained By Grace

Frank heard the words, “AMEN!” and he knew he was released. The chains were broken. The sermon was over, and Frank sprinted through the double doors a free man. He felt the presence of God dancing within him as he hopped, skipped, and jumped his way to his car. 

Frank’s joy was complete. He was unchained by Grace. He was singing a joyous noise to the Lord and whistling and waving his arms in the air like a wild monkey.  Frank couldn’t carry a tune, and he didn’t care. He and God were once again friends because of God’s grace, not because Frank loved church. 

God had pardoned his sins while he was still a sinner! He fumbled to retrieve his car keys from his pocket, and then he noticed a stranger sitting on an old wooden bench made of sawed-off tree stumps for its base.

The stranger smiled and tipped his hat to Frank. “I’ve been waiting for your release. It’s good to see the Light of Christ shining again,” he said. Frank’s calling was about to begin. 

To be continued…       

About the Author

Dr. Trace Pirtle is a retired counselor education professor and a fellow pilgrim on the narrow path. He is the author of the forthcoming book Narrow Path Pilgrim: Finding Jesus Christ Beyond the Church Walls, and shares insights for remnant believers and spiritual seekers following The Way of the first-century church.