Enslaved vs. Liberated

Several months ago, I had been reading about the cruel atrocities many black men, women, and children suffered during the era of slavery in our country – stories of rape, torture, starvation, tearing wives from husbands, children from mothers’ arms – stories too sick and depraved to be repeated.  And what I found so appalling is that many of these slave owners would attend church on Sundays, professing to be God-fearing men and women. 

I read the unholy acts they committed and wondered how on earth they could hear Scripture teaching us to be kind and tenderhearted and not feel convicted – read Scripture on sexual morality and not feel sickened by their cruel depravity – read how Jesus came to set the captive free and not burn with the desire to release those they shamelessly purchased.  I was baffled how they could read the story of Jesus’ torture in the moments leading up to His crucifixion and not see a reflection of themselves in His tormentors.  How could this be?

While these men and women gloried in enslaving their captives, they were oblivious to the obvious – they themselves were slaves – enslaved to lust, self-seeking, worldly gain, fear, arrogance, spiritual ignorance…to name just a few.  Jesus became the very evil they committed and took it to the cross so they could be set free from the slavery of their sins.  They refused the liberty He suffered to award them.

Believers who are set free seek to lead others to freedom through Jesus Christ.

Those who remain enslaved seek to make others captive to their selfish purposes.

Which one are you?

 

Romans 6:5-6

For if we have been united together in the likeness of His (Jesus) death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

Suggested Prayer

I praise you, O Lord, my Great Deliverer!  I thank You for conquering every conceivable evil – every twisted, depraved, cruel, debilitating, destructive sin with the all-consuming power of Your love – a love You demonstrated by dying in my stead on the cross.  Forgive me for seeking to take others captive : to enslave them by manipulative means born out of my unforgiveness, insecurities, covetousness, lusts, arrogance, fears, desires to have and to control.  Jesus, rescue me; deliver me; heal me – that I may experience Your resurrection power and no longer be a slave of sin!  Set me free that I may lead others to Your great Salvation!

In the name of Jesus, my Liberator, I pray…Amen