Free From Bondage
Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?
Romans 6:16
We are either in bondage to Christ or we are in bondage to the world. When we surrender to Christ he sets us free while Satan enslaves more to the world. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)
Most non-Christians believe they are free in the world and that God will make them a slave. This is the lie Satan feeds the world and it is just the opposite of God’s truth. When we believe Satan, he increases our fear as he increases evil and violence in the world. Satan is trying to destroy all Christians in the world and has possessed many people to do his evil work.
It’s not difficult to see how people are slaves to the world because of their fear and worry. But how does the Lord give us freedom when Christians live in the same world as non-Christians, and yet Christians are being persecuted more every day? We cannot have freedom unless our fear and worry are minimized in our daily lives. We cannot have freedom if we respond with fear, anger, or impatience in stressful situations.
Before we can be free in this world we have to be confident in our eternal life in heaven with our Lord. When we receive Christ and are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are saved. We start our new life reading the Bible, praying, and fellowshipping with our church family. We grow spiritually, and we grow more confident in the promise of eternal life. As our faith grows we learn to trust our Lord as he guides us through life into our eternal home. We are filled with his love and compassion as we minister to others, and his love is what frees us. We have the mind of Christ, a mind that loves God and reflects his love to others. We are now free from our worst enemy, ourselves. Satan wants us to be self-centered because he wants us to self-destruct.
Each of us has a choice. We can be a slave to Satan and live eternally with him and his demons, or we can be free in Christ and live eternally with Christ in heaven. Choose to accept Christ and live free in his family. He is our heavenly Father and his love for us is perfect. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)
Today, live free in Christ and cast away any fear and worry. Let the Lord lead you through your day with his divine love, power, and wisdom. Know that everything is possible with God and that he does the impossible for you.
Let’s pray: Lord, guide me today with peace and joy in my heart as I reflect your love and compassion to others. Fill my mind and heart with my eternal home so that I will not become a slave to this temporary world. Free me from me, and set me free in Christ as I focus on serving you and ministering to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.