From Slaves To Slaves

“But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”
Romans 6:17-18 (NKJV)

Man has always sought to be free. It is one of the great driving forces in his nature.

Wars have been fought over freedom, and millions have died defending it, and yet it seems elusive. One man’s freedom is another man’s shackles. The irony is that there is, in truth, no such thing as freedom! We are all by nature slaves to one thing or another.

The Apostle Paul explains that the whole world is held captive by a hidden force, “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe…” (II Corinthians 4:3-4).

There is, however, a release that is available. Freedom is available in Jesus–a freedom that can liberate us from this tyrannical, dark force: but then only to become a slave to someone else. That someone else is the true God, the God who only seeks your good and who wants above all else to be a blessing to you. Paul continues, “What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.” (Romans 6:21-22)

True freedom is to know God and then to dedicate ourselves to a life of service to him, indeed, to enslave ourselves to him! Ephesians 6:6 puts it this way: “like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your hearts.” In this way we will find the freedom to express ourselves to the full as he encourages us to be all that we can be.

Prayer
Father in Heaven, thank you for the freedom that we find in you: A freedom that comes from total dedication to your service. Show me how I can serve you more completely. Open my heart to receive you more fully, and to reflect you more perfectly in that service.
Amen

Study by David Stirk