Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living. Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Rom 6:16-23 (NLT)
Rom 6:16-23 (NLT)
As I read the above verses I couldn't help but think about my life and the deeds done before Christ rescued me. Though I wouldn't have characterized it as being "slavery" per se, I can look back and see where it most definitely was.
My life was all about me. Whatever I wanted to do, I did. Whatever I wanted to buy, I bought. Wherever I wanted to go, I went. Whomever I wanted to go with, I went with. Most of the time I was looking for a cheap thrill, some quick fun to make life more interesting. In the end, no matter what it was, when it was over, I was left searching for something else to take its place.
Sure, it was fun, as long as it lasted. I may have even thought at the time how satisfying life was, just one big playground. You go round and round, up and down, and then you run back up to the top and do it again. And as long as you're running, there's no problem, but if you ever have to stop and catch your breath, the doubts begin creeping in.
"What am I doing," you think, "this is nuts. How long have I been doing this? Where has it gotten me? Why can't I ever stop and be fulfilled?" The reason is simple, you've been living life in "junk drive."
Much like your diet, as long as you continue living your life in "junk drive," you'll likely feel full. Hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries, chicken sandwiches and burritos do a good job of filling your stomach, for a time. But once your body has digested the junk, it hasn't gotten near what it needs and requires to maintain itself at a top level. The hunger pangs returns, your body isn't really hungry; it's starving for something decent to eat! Your body has needs, so does your spirit and soul.
You've been living a double life. Attending church on Sunday morning, well most of the time at least, and then gorging on the world's delicacies the other six days of the week can leave one's spirit gasping for something more. The smoke from the cigarettes and blur from the alcohol masking the effects of a life lived on the edge of oblivion. You thought getting married would wake you straight, but that was before the first affair. Then you thought kids would love you straight, but that was before your weekends were spent with old pals at the park or hanging at the lake, and little or no attention paid to those blessings. You had a friend try to warn you about the cliff up ahead, but you blew them off, "I deserve this," you said, "I deserve to be happy!"
Now you've hit the wall, the cliff looms ahead, a little more pressure on the pedal and your life careens out of control. Something is wrong though, you can't figure it out because in your reality, you have it all under control. There's no cliff ahead, just miles and miles of road waiting to be taken, waiting to be experienced. Still you can't shake it. It begins to worry you, "what's wrong with me?" Shrugging it off, you grab the wheel with both hands, push the pedal to the metal, and off you go, never to darken those church doors again, leaving a swath of broken hearts, dreams, and vows in your wake.
This devastating storm has a name too, however it's name is much more sinister than any name we could have given it. It's name is Satanas, the adversary, commonly known as Satan. He knoweth no mercy, only fury. He knoweth no truth, only lies. His appetite is ferocious, never filled until he has taken everything worthy, everything honorable, everything holy and good from your life. Then, he moves to another.
Oh, it all started innocently enough. No longer content with that which fills the belly, you moved on to that which tasted good. No longer content with that which kept you warm, you needed that which was pleasing to the eye. No longer content with the friends you had, you moved on to those which were popular.
This continued into young adulthood. Never content with what you had, you were always reaching for more. This was the American way you were told. Our roads and infrastructure weren't built by those who were content, you must always be reaching higher and higher, obtaining more and more, leaving those by the wayside who no longer benefit you.
Realizing that something was missing you reach for that which was never meant to be yours in the first place. That apple which was placed ever so tantalizingly out of reach suddenly seemed within your grasp. If you could only have this or that, your world would be complete. The knowledge you never realized you needed suddenly becomes all encompassing. Your every thought is bent on it. Your desire for it grows and swells until you are fat with the fruit of it. Never realizing you have become enslaved, you continue to lust for it. Your bondage almost complete, you leap, your hand brushes it, and your eyes grow wide in anticipation of it.
You leap again, this time your hand grasps it, and with one final tug you pluck it from the grasp of the vine. Now sick with perverted craze you sink your teeth into the crisp outer skin. As your teeth dig deeper, you smell and taste the ever so distinct taste of honey. It is good to the lips. It's juices flow down both sides of your mouth and into your throat. A smile creases your lips. With each consuming bite your knowledge grows, and so does your desire for more. Before you are done you begin looking for more, you must have more. You dig in for one more last bite in anxious anticipation of what you now know waits. Only this time the taste is not honey at all, but bile. The fragrance not pleasing, but repulsive. You pull the fruit from your mouth and stare in disbelief. The core is rotten, and the apple has disintegrated in your very hands. It is only now you realize, too late, the fruit of sin is death.
The fall was absolutely and totally devastating in its impact upon mankind. Protected and nurtured in the environment of the Garden, Adam and Eve had everything they needed and more (Gen 1:28-30). God had created them Himself, an absolute image of the Creators (Gen 1:26). Adam didn't have to suffer in planting and harvesting their food. Neither did Eve suffer in pregnancy and childbearing. All was provided for them, including a close, communal relationship with God the Father. One deceitful, selfish suggestion and the consequences changed everything forever!
"You will be like God," was the deceivers very words, and today they hold just as much temptation as they did then. His methods have not changed much over the years, sadly neither have our responses. All too eager to be accountable only to ourselves we jump at every opportunity to exert our independence. Vanity, pride, and desire are the weapons at the "accusers" disposal, and he wields them with deadly accuracy.
For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
1 Jn 2:16 (NKJV)
Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
Eph 2:1-3 (NLT)
Sin is the worst taskmaster man has ever known. Because of sin man set his hand to the plow. Because of sin a woman suffers through childbirth. As a result of sin man became separated from God, unwilling and unable to be righteous, or right with God (Rom 3:10). Results of sin can be seen all around us; in the lonely eyes of a bastard child, in the forlorn gaze of a neglected spouse, in the cuts and bruises from an abusive father, in the casket of a victim of drunk driving, in the homeless shelter where a little girl weeps because the bread winner bet the house on a game, and in the eyes of a mother who has lost her child to a roadside bomb.
Often times the effects of sin are not realized, and the full evil of their deeds not understood, until after the sin is committed. I am reminded of the story of David in 2 Samuel 12. When confronted with the exact representation of his sin, David became enraged, and pronounced his own penalty...death! David's son dies as a direct result of David's sin, bringing much grief to Bathsheba, and the rest of the house of David.
All men sin (1 Kings 8:46, Rom 3:9, 23, 1 John 1:10), sin opposes God (1 John 1:6, 1 John 3:4), and whoever sins becomes a slave to sin (John 8:34). Man cannot serve two masters.
"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Mat 6:24 (NKJV)
Jesus warns, "When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. (Mat 24:37-39)
To echo the thoughts of the Hebrew writer, "it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Heb 10:31)
Jesus warns fence minders everywhere of His intentions when He thunders, "because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." (Rev 3:16)
Laodicean's were very well acquainted with luke-warmness, there would be no misunderstanding of Jesus' words. Laodicea's water supply came through aqueducts and pipes from a distant water source. As a result the water was lukewarm and barely drinkable. Neighboring cities were a study in extremes. Hierapolis, for example, had hot springs that served medicinal purposes, while Colossae's water supply was provided by by a cold mountain stream. Thus, we see Christ imploring the church at Laodicea to be either medicinally hot or refreshingly cold! (1)
We see in Paul's letter to young Timothy a strong warning and a keen insight into this very mystery. He says in his 2nd letter to Timothy Chapter 3 in verses 5&7, "to beware of those who have a form of godliness but deny its power." He goes on to say "they are always learning yet never coming to the truth!" Paul encourages Timothy to "turn away" from such people. He always draws a line in the sand with his words.
Fence minding is really not an option, and doesn't really exist as one. Those who sit on the fence are really imposters, deceiving and being deceived. (2nd Tim 3:13) The fence minders will be among those shouting, "Lord, Lord," (Mat 7:22) however having only a form of godliness but always denying its power, they will be trampled on the threshing floor. (Luke 3:17) It becomes obvious then that we are slaves to something; we will declare with our actions exactly whose we are. We can say we are not of Satan, but if you are not of God, then you must be on the opposing side. (Mat 12:30)
For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Cor 4:6 (NLT)
Before Jesus ascended into Heaven He left us a Helper. This Helped leads us, and leads us out of the spirit of slavery to fear, and back into the loving arms of our creator.
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”
Rom 8:14-15 (NLT)
As has been aptly noted by others we take sin way too casually, and I believe Paul was battling this apathy in this passage of scripture. Beginning in verse 12 we see that we are not to live according to fleshly desires. (Rom 8:12) Then quickly in verse 13 Paul warns that to do so is to invite death, and that life comes by the Spirit whom will put to death the deeds of the body. (Rom 8:13)
You see friend, the church is sick with sin. This is no longer a subtle cold making its way through our congregations. This is a full blown virus that has spread like wildfire and is threatening to topple the church were it not for the strong foundation laid as its Cornerstone. (Eph 2:20)
An unbelieving world looks in and sees drunkenness, malice, greed, anger, adultery, envy, strife, double mindedness, and hatred. They see people proclaiming they've been set free under the same bondage that torments them. An unbelieving world finds it difficult to see some difference in our lives.
There is an old story about a Christian who had tried to witness repeatedly to his next door neighbor. When the neighbor was stricken ill and confined to his home, the Christian went to visit him, trying to persuade him, one last time, to accept Christ. As the Christian entered the neighbor's bedroom he was surprised to see a Bible, misshapen and lumpy on the nightstand next to the neighbor. Idly, he picked it up, finding it falling apart, with large sections cut out and only a small amount of the Scriptures intact. In surprise, he asked the neighbor what had happened to the Bible. The neighbor told him that as the Christian had tried to witness to him, he had purchased the Bible, cutting out the portions of Scripture when he saw his neighbor living as though it were untruth. He cut out the portions about love as he heard the Christian neighbor yelling and cursing in his home. He cut out the portions about worship and church as he saw the neighbor heading to the golf course or lake on Sunday's. He cut out the portions about marriage when he saw his neighbor flirting at the neighborhood block parties, and on and on, until there was only a shell of the Word left. (2)
The sad truth is that there was no need to succumb to the enticements and temptations of the flesh. For this is the very thing that Christ came to deliver us from.
Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Heb 2:14-15 (NKJV)
It is amazing to think that he who had the power of death has been destroyed, rendered harmless. For the sin that so enslaved us, that very sin which led to death, our Redeemer suffered so that we might be delivered. It is simply the greatest story ever told! There is no doubt that it is good news.
Death indeed has been swallowed up in victory, Death has lost its sting! (1 Cor 15:55-57) We must come out O Church, not only to make believers of a skeptical world, but also to be united with our Groom, holy and blameless. (Col 1.21-22)
We will most assuredly be slaves to something, the question is to whom? Will we be slaves to those things which we are naturally ashamed and whose end is death? Or will we be slaves of God, whose fruit is holiness, and the end, everlasting life!
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The Wesley brothers sent word of their conversion to their sainted mother, Susanna, who didn't know what to make of it. "I heartily rejoice that you have attained to a strong and lively hope in God's mercy through Christ. Not that I can think that you were totally without saving faith before, but it is one thing to have faith, and another thing to be sensible we have it."
Charles Wesley was now very sensible of having it. His life changed, and gained victory over both his temper and his drinking habit. He also began to spread the news of what had happened to him. New vitality came into his public preaching. He discontinued his practice of reading his sermons and began preaching extemporaneously.
He found a fruitful arena for ministry at the infamous Newgate Prison, and allowed himself to be locked up with condemned men on nights before their executions, that he might comfort and witness to them during their final hours. (3)
This hymn was written by Charles as the first anniversary of his conversion approached:
O for a thousand tongues to sing,
My great Redeemer's praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!
Jesus! The name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease,
'Tis music in the sinner's ears,
'Tis life, and health, and peace.
He breaks the power of cancelled sin,
He sets the prisoner free,
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me.
doulos ek Christos
Footnotes
1. Reformation Study Bible, Editor R.C. Sproul, Ligonier Ministries
2. 2,000+ Bible Illustrations
3. Then Sings My Soul, by Robert J Morgan
Footnotes
1. Reformation Study Bible, Editor R.C. Sproul, Ligonier Ministries
2. 2,000+ Bible Illustrations
3. Then Sings My Soul, by Robert J Morgan
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