Tag: slavery
Not a slave but a son!
Scripture reading for August 20: Galatians 4
“In the same way we also, 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, born of woman, born under the law, 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.” Galatians 4:3-7
According to Paul, anointed by the Holy Spirit, the world view of those outside the faith is one of slavery to the elementary principles of the world. Those in that slavery don’t necessarily look at their lives that way. The god of this world has deceived them to think of themselves as free to do whatever feels good to them. Those practicing Judaism also were in slavery to those same principles but their religion gave them hope through keeping the law of God through human effort. But by the works of the law, no human flesh will be justified. (Galatians 2:16) But God has provided a remedy to deliver those in slavery to this world and to human effort to be good.
God’s plan was to send His Son, Jesus Christ, in the form of human flesh, born of woman, and born under the law. Jesus Christ would suffer temptation from every elementary principle of this world and from the evil one, Satan. He would in the power of the Holy Spirit resist sin and then offer Himself as the Redeemer of all in slavery. He, the Firstborn Son, would defeat the slave master, Satan and send all who would believe in Him a gift from the Father, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God would bear witness inside each believer that they were no longer slaves, but sons of God through faith. “Abba! Father!” would be the cry of our reborn hearts as we were adopted back into the forever family of God!
In what ways do you now recognize that you were once a slave to the elementary principles of this world? How did you come to have a change in your world view and the need to make changes? Has religion ever been a hinderance to finding new birth and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit Who cries “Abba!”?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to redeem us all from slavery. I once thought I was in control of my destiny but was really a slave. When I humbled my heart and acknowledged my slavery and sins, Jesus forgave me and I was filled with a new world view of sonship in God’s family! Praise Abba! Amen!
Set free!
Scripture reading for June 20: Romans 6
“What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and , having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” Romans 6:15-18
Paul was ministering and teaching in the Roman culture where human slavery was part. Paul used the example of slavery to teach about the transformation of our souls from slavery to sin in our fallen state to slavery to righteousness when we repent and believe in Jesus Christ. Paul reasoned that we are slaves to the one we obey. If we are under ‘sin’ as our master, we choose to obey our appetites and partake of whatever they demand. The ‘wages’ of sin is death and eternal separation from God and His mercy. But if we repent of this slavery to sin, and choose to cast ourselves on the mercy of God in Jesus Christ, we are given grace and forgiveness of those sins. The reward of repentance and obedience to Jesus is eternal life. (Romans 6:23)
Some were saying, that since grace was freely available, those who obtained grace should be free to go on sinning so that God could offer more grace. (Romans 6:1-2) “By no means” was Paul’s reply to these who were justifying their disobedience because of grace. When we have been set free from sin, we ‘die’ to our old slave nature and we now choose to become “slaves of righteousness” and live by the power of the Spirit in obedience to God’s Word. Whom the Son sets free, is free indeed to live in righteousness!
Have you ever realized that you were in slavery to sin in some aspect of your life? What form did this slavery take? Have you been set free from the slavery to sin? How did this freedom affect your daily life and world view?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the Good News of Jesus Christ and the freedom from slavery to sin found in Him. I joyfully choose to give myself fully to love and serve Jesus and obey His Spirit leading me to obedience of God’s Word. I pray daily to be used to share this message of freedom with others. Amen.
Dealing with injustice
Scripture reading for May 09th: Nehemiah 5-8:1
Wise and godly leaders stand firmly against injustice! Our sinful tendencies lead us relentlessly towards selfishness and taking advantage of those who are in need or in crisis or weak. Slavery in America is an example of these selfish and sinful tendencies. Slaves were bought and sold to build wealth for those they served. Slaves did jobs that their owners did not want to do themselves. Slaves were treated well by some and harshly and cruelly by others. Injustice in this system led some leaders to take action and a civil war resulted that cost the lives of many Americans and many who named the name of Christ on both sides of this issue.
Nehemiah faced injustice in his day among his own people. Taxes were high in Jerusalem and the Jews had to pay them to the Persian king. Their brothers who had money were loaning to these Jews who had no money. Mortgages were taken on the fields and vineyards and even their homes. Even sons and daughters were being sold into slavery because of the usury that was going on among the Israelites. An outcry because of this injustice reached Nehemiah and he pondered this problem. (Nehemiah 5:6-7) Calling a meeting of all those involved, he called out those charging unfair interest, commanded them to stop these practices. (Nehemiah 5:9-11) They publicly agreed to do so. He even shook out his own robe and prayed prophetically, “In this way may God shake out of His house and possessions every man who does not keep this promise. So may such a man be shaken out and emptied!” Nehemiah 5:13
God’s people must beware of injustice, even in their own house! Sin and selfishness can cause us to take advantage of others. We can abuse or neglect the poor and the weak. Spiritual leaders and pastors must guard their hearts in how they encourage giving, being careful not to manipulate. A form of slavery results when our sons and daughters go into captivity and leave the church because of injustice in God’s house! Righteous leaders are watchful and take direct action when they know about it! Pray today for those in authority and let them know of any injustice among God’s people!
Called to Freedom!
Scripture reading for May 20th: Galatians 5
Key Scriptures: Galatians 5:13-15 “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but though love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.”
There was conflict in the Galatian church between the Jewish false teachers and the believers. Both sides were conceited and judgmental of one another and lacked love, a basic fruit of the Holy Spirit. Paul instructed them on those attributes that were not of God, warning them that those who practiced the works of the flesh would not inherit the kingdom of God. He encouraged them to keep in step with the Holy Spirit Who lived inside them. The Spirit’s fruit would effectively deal with the flesh and those still trying to earn righteousness through law. In fact, loving your neighbor as yourself fulfils the whole law of God! The Spirit of the Lord brings God’s love and true freedom!
Galatians 5:22-26 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control; Against such things as this there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Fill me again today with Your Spirit and let love for my neighbor and for You flow out of my life in every relationship and contact, to Your glory! I want to keep step with the Spirit today and walk in the freedom of fulfilled law.
Galatians 5:1 “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
A beautiful inheritance!
Scripture reading for May 19th: Galatians 4
Key Scriptures: Galatians 4:1-6 “I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of this world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, 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!”
Paul used a natural analogy of a family in his culture. Children were eventually going to be heirs of their father and mother, but when they were young and underage, they were like slaves in that they had no access to their inheritance but were under the control of their parents or the appointed guardians until the date set to receive the inheritance. Likewise, we are like slaves before we are born again. We are in bondage to the elemental principles of this world and under the curse of the law. But at the right time, God our Father sent His only Son born under the law, to redeem us who were under the law. We were given the Holy Spirit of Jesus, the Spirit of adoption, to be confirmed a son and joint heir of Jesus. In the fullness of time, we will enter our full inheritance in eternal life! Amen!
Galatians 4:7 “So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for redeeming me from slavery to sin and sending the Holy Spirit of adoption into my heart. I await with patience and anticipation the full inheritance You have promised! Help me to share this beautiful inheritance with all I meet. Come, Lord Jesus!
Psalm 16:5-6 “The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; You hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.”
Bought with a price!
Scripture reading for July 15th: 1st Corinthians 7, Psalm 140, Proverbs 16
Key Scriptures: 1st Corinthians 7: 20-24 “Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a bond servant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) For he who was called in the Lord as a bond servant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bond servant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bond servants of men. So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.”
Paul was teaching the Church concerning the culture of the society in which they lived. Slavery was common and Christ Jesus does set each person free from the bondage of sin. But Christ does not demand that we immediately change the culture we live in. He works from the inside out, freeing each person as they repent and respond to His Word and grace. Each person should remain where they are in the culture and allow God to use them to bring light and truth, always walking in the liberty Christ provides.
Faith Confession: Lord Jesus, thank You for paying the price for the true freedom given me through the sacrifice of Jesus. Help me to live in the culture of this world as salt and light to the lost and sharing the Gospel of freedom.
Psalm 140:13 “Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your Name; the upright shall dwell in Your Presence.”
Shake out the unfaithful!
Scripture reading for May 10th: Nehemiah 5-8:1
Wise and godly leaders stand firmly against injustice! Our sinful tendencies lead us relentlessly towards selfishness and taking advantage of those who are in need, in crisis or weak. Slavery in America is an example of these selfish and sinful tendencies. Slaves were bought and sold to build wealth for those they served. Slaves did jobs that their owners did not want to do themselves. Slaves were treated well by some and harshly and cruelly by others. Injustice in this system led some leaders to take action and a civil war resulted over this issue.
Nehemiah faced injustice among his own people. Taxes were high in Jerusalem and the Jews had to pay them to the Persian king. Their brothers who had money were loaning to the Jews who had no money. Mortgages were taken on the fields and vineyards and even their homes. Sons and daughters were being sold into slavery because of the usury among the Israelites. An outcry because of this injustice reached Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 5:6-7) Calling a meeting of all those involved, he accused those with money of their sin, commanded them to stop these practices! (Nehemiah 5:9-11) They publicly agreed to do so. He charged the priests and nobles to take an oath to do what they had promised in response to his accusation. He even shook out his own robe and prayed, “In this way may God shake out of his house and possessions every man who does not keep this promise. So may such a man be shaken out and emptied!” Nehemiah 5:13
God’s people must beware of injustice, even in their own house! Sin and selfishness can cause us to take advantage of others. We can abuse or neglect the poor and the weak. We must not manipulate or enslave others by our selfishness. Spiritual leaders and pastors must guard their hearts against manipulation and injustice caused by selfishness. Slavery comes when our sons and daughters go into captivity because of injustice in God’s house among God’s people! Righteous leaders are watchful and take direct action when they know about it! Pray today for those in authority and let them know of any injustice among God’s people!
Opposing injustice!
Scripture reading for May 10th: Nehemiah 5-8:1
Wise and godly leaders stand firmly against injustice! Our sinful tendencies lead us relentlessly towards selfishness and taking advantage of those who are in need or in crisis or weak. Slavery in America is an example of these selfish and sinful tendencies. Slaves were bought and sold to build wealth for those they served. Slaves did jobs that their owners did not want to do themselves. Slaves were treated well by some and harshly and cruelly by others. Injustice in this system led President Lincoln to take action and a civil war resulted over this issue.
Nehemiah faced injustice in his day among his own people. Taxes were high in Jerusalem and the Jews had to pay them to the Persian king. Their brothers who had money were loaning to the Jews who had no money. Mortgages were taken on the fields, vineyards and even homes. Sons and daughters were being sold into slavery because of the usury that was going on among the Israelites. An outcry because of this injustice reached Nehemiah and he pondered this problem and the resulting enslavement. (Nehemiah 5:6-7) Calling a meeting of all those involved and commanded them to stop their selfishness and walk in the fear of God! (Nehemiah 5:9-11) They publicly agreed to do so. He charged the priests and nobles to take an oath to do what they had promised in response to his accusation. He shook out his own robe and prayed, “In this way may God shake out of his house and possessions every man who does not keep this promise. So may such a man be shaken out and emptied!” Nehemiah 5:13
God’s people must beware of injustice, even in their own house! Sin and selfishness can cause us to take advantage of others. We can abuse or neglect the poor and the weak. We must not manipulate or enslave others by our selfishness. Spiritual leaders and pastors must guard their hearts in how they encourage giving. Sometimes, manipulation and injustice takes place among God’s people through selfish leaders. Slavery can come when our sons and daughters go into captivity because of injustice in God’s house among God’s people! Righteous leaders are watchful and take direct action when they know about it! Pray today for those in authority and let them know of any injustice among God’s people!
Sunday Rest and Reflection:Egypt
Dear Friends,
Greetings on another day of rest in Jesus Christ! What a blessing to know that He has delivered us from sin, slavery and death and given us righteousness, freedom, and life everlasting! All of this is due to His grace and the obedience of Jesus Christ to follow His Father’s plan to save lives! We are included in these plans by His grace and by the drawing of the Holy Spirit.
In our reading this past week we saw God’s people being invited to stay in Egypt. They were forced by a famine to seek out food there because God Himself had sent Joseph there with the express purpose of saving lives. God used the world system of Pharaoh’s Egypt to store up grain to feed a multitude during the famine. God controls the governments of the world and uses the leaders to fulfill His purposes!
Egypt is a type of the world without a true knowledge of God. It is a system of humanistic government, business and religious idolatry. It is a system based on power, wealth, and man’s inner need to worship. Without God, humanity values what can only satisfy the flesh. Idols come in as a means to satisfy the inner need to worship. Idols are a form of god crafted by man to try to fill this desire to worship. By making an idol, man can design a convenient god that allows him to do whatever he wants and at the same time controls others or even shuts them out. In the end, this system of Egypt is pure slavery, results in what God calls “sin”, and ends in death.
All men must be born again to escape the power of this system. God must deliver them and help them to choose to worship Him alone! People must be willing to escape this system and enter the freedom of knowing the one True God! God places His people in this system to show a way of escape to those who are trapped by the system! The blessing of God on our lives should be so evident that the lost ask us for help!
May your life be marked by willing submission to our loving King, Jesus Christ! May His provision make you smile with joy every day! May every trace of Egypt be removed from your soul!
In His Love, Pastor John