The Bond That Can’t Be Broken

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

My grandfather Charles Arthur 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. As a child of God, not even death can break the bond we have with our Heavenly Father.

 

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.

 

Psalms 63:7

“Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.”