By Michael K. Farrar,
O.D.
© 2002
My grandfather Charles
Farrar was a master welder. He learned his trade in the army and after the
First World War worked in the oil fields of Oklahoma. A welder on pipelines had to be
very skilled and to obtain his job my grandfather had to pass rigorous tests.
In his day, acetylene welding was the method used to bond metal together. This
required a hot acetylene torch for heat and a rod of metal that was melted to
form the bond between the pieces of iron.
My grandfather was
especially proud of one of the tests he passed. This particular challenge
required the welder to bond two 4 inch thick pieces of iron together. These
heavy pieces of iron were tapered down to a sharp edge facing each other where
the bond would be welded. This small surface area required precision and
skillful welding if it were to hold. At the other end of each piece a huge
press clamped down onto the hunks of iron. After each welder created his molten
bond of metal, the gigantic press would begin to pull and register how much
tension was required to break the weld.
My grandfather
approached this test with cautious confidence. He took his torch in hand, lit
it, grabbed an appropriate metal rod and began to work his magic. As he peered
through the dark welding goggles sweat droplets grew on his forehead. The
bright torch flame melted the rod easily as my grandfather worked the molten
metal into the small seam between the iron blocks. Carefully and with wise judgment
he bonded the iron shafts together at their small tips. Finished with his
craft, he stood up and switched off his torch. A humble smile formed on his
aged weather-beaten face.
The supervisors turned
on the mighty press. A horrible noise filled the room as the press began
pulling it’s massive jaws apart attempting to break the bond my grandfather had
created. The press strained as pistons and gears screamed in their attempts to
split the small bond of metal. Suddenly a high‑pitched metallic crack was heard
as one of the iron bars broke leaving my grandfather's weld intact. In some
way, my grandfather had crafted a bond of metal stronger than the iron itself.
My grandfather was granted permission to keep the iron bars he had welded so
skillfully to honor his ability.
As Christians we have
a similar bond with our Heavenly Father. It does not depend on our faith, our
deeds, our skills or us; its substance comes from Jesus Christ Himself. When we
accept Christ as our Savior we are bonded to God. We become part of an eternal
heavenly family. We may falter, we may stumble, we may even fall, but the
strong arms of our Savior grasp us tightly never to let us go. Deuteronomy 31:8
tells us the kind of bond God forms between Him and His children, "The
LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor
forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Just like the huge
press that pulled at my grandfather's weld, the hardships of life will attack
the bond we have with our Heavenly Father. Satan and his demons will also seek
to break this bond of love and grace. We feel the stress when this happens and
often groan with pain as we endure the pressures that strive to break our
spiritual bond. The power of the mighty Holy Spirit holds our bond to the
Father no matter what forces are gathered. Our emotions may waver, our faith
may be tested, our flesh may fail, but the power of our omnipotent Heavenly
Father and His saving grace holds the spiritual bond firm.
The bond that God
established with us began with Jesus' sacrifice on the cross when He died for
our sins. His resurrection from the grave completed His victory over sin and
death and provided the opportunity for us to be bonded to Him as adopted sons
and daughters.
Before we accept
Christ as our Master, we are bound to sin and can only look forward to the
judgment of death, which is the penalty for sins. Once we become a child of God
we are welded into a God's family. Just as my son and daughter were born into
my family and will always be my children, so we too will always remain sons and
daughters of our Heavenly Father once we make that commitment to Jesus Christ.
Nothing can change our heritage and calling.
Christ establishes the
bond we have as Christians with our Lord. It's security rests in His character
and power. It is a strong and stable bond that cannot be broken by any force.
Paul discusses this in Romans 8:38‑39 when he says, "For I am convinced
that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor
the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all
creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ
Jesus our Lord.” What a privilege we have to be adopted children of such a
wonderful loving and powerful God.
Remember, when you
feel oppressed and distressed, hopeless and helpless, you are a child of the
King. He has welded you to Himself. The Holy Spirit inhabits you. Your destiny
is secure as you rest in the comfort of His protection and loving care. He will
never allow that bond to be broken. The bond is established by His power, a
heavenly power no force can withstand. He will never let you go and will
constantly be faithful to you.
If you have strayed
from His path and feel you have betrayed Him, turn and look into His face
reflected in the scriptures. Pray to your Heavenly father and feel His touch on
your wounded heart. Allow God minister to you. He always is willing to forgive.
He holds no grudge. He forgives your sins and remembers them no more. What a
loving God.
If you have never
accepted Christ as your Savior, I would invite you to consider seeking a
relationship with Jesus. He waits patiently for you to invite Him into your
heart and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Whether you know it or not,
without the Lord Jesus Christ you are an orphan in the world. Respond to His
calling, His desire to bond spiritually with you for eternity. You'll never
regret it.