“Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’ They answered, ‘We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, “You will become free”?’
“Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.'” John 8:31-36
“In the same way we, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son,.. to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
“Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?” Galatians 4:3-9
Because of Adam, man is born enslaved to sin. We cannot not sin. Common grace alerts us to right and wrong, and by grace the Lord plants within a conscience. When the Holy Spirit regenerates our spirits, we see with new eyes, recognize our captivity, feel the weight and sting of sin’s chains, and cry in desperation, Set us free!
Because of the pressures of the world and pervasive biblical illiteracy, we can live for years not knowing the truth that sets free. Long-held bitterness at God or someone else, habitual sins of flesh and mind, hold us captive. Why do we put up with this, make excuses, and remain miserable and ineffective?
Are we incessant with catty condemnation of others while neglecting self-inspection? What sins and errors long ago confessed are we unwilling to forgive? Whom do we keep shackled in the dungeon of heart or mind, captive to malice or hatred, cancelled from light? Unconfessed sins and hidden prisoners prevent us being free to love and serve as Christ intends. (Matthew 7:3-5)
What keeps us from clear, honest confession? Would we claim Christ’s power to break our bonds and render sin’s enslavement inoperable? His wondrous, just cancellation of our debt sets us free indeed. (John 8:36; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 5:1; 1 John 1:9)
“Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!” ~Charles Wesley (1738)
Lord Jesus, cut open every chain of guilt and condemnation so I live freely, wholly for Your glory, and gladly spread Your gospel to those enslaved in the world.
As the rain and snow 