"Grave Clothes"

"And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go."  John 11:44

The other day I shared what I believe the Lord had spoken to my heart concerning the year.  (A year of overcoming the enemy; victory.)  I also said that you can't be passive and wait for Jesus to do it all.  You have a choice to receive the victory and do what you need to do to see it manifested.  

Goliath came out and taunted the Israelites day after day, but King Saul and the army did nothing accept shrink back in fear and "talk about" the situation.  It was when David stepped up and trusted God that the giant/enemy was defeated.  

You have a choice to make if you truly want this victory manifested in your life.  Lazarus was dead-- had been for four days.  Jesus called him forth from death and the grave-- but he was wrapped up (bound) in grave clothes and had to be loosed.  Lazarus was given victory over death through Jesus, but he still had on the grave clothes.  He had to be "unwrapped" and walk in that victory-- life.

Your enemy-- the flesh and its manifestations that I talked about the other day-- have been defeated by Jesus.  He won the victory over them.  He has given us the victory over them.  But we have been trying to move around and maneuver through life wrapped up in and bound by them.  Once the grave clothes came off of Lazarus he was not hindered any longer and could walk out this victory.  These enemies are "grave clothes".  They bind us and keep us from walking and living in the victory we already have.  You can't live in grave clothes.  But you have to choose to "come forth".  He is calling you to come forth.  You can't live in grave clothes and victory (freedom) at the same time.  Choose to come forth.  Don't choose to stay bound in the grave clothes when victory is already yours.  If you do, you will not be able to move and do what you were placed on earth to do.  

Have a great day.  Jesus has given you victory over the enemy.  Will you come forth in that victory?  Or will you stay bound in those grave clothes?