December 18, 1865 was a special day for those who lived under
the harsh conditions of slavery. That day, the Thirteenth Amendment to the
constitution of the United States of America, the amendment that would official
abolish slavery, was passed.
Not every slave heard the good news, however, and
those who didn't know continued to live in slavery. Others did hear the good
news, but they continued to live in slavery because they had no idea what
freedom meant.
Why the confusion? Because many of the plantation owners kept the truth from
their slaves! They knew the moment the slaves learned
about their freedom, their free labour would be gone, but as long as the slaves
didn't understand, they would continue to serve their masters. These conniving
plantation owners even used a few persuasive slaves to convince others that they
were still in slavery and that everything was in "status quo".
It didn't help that the Union army couldn't offer much protection to these
ex-slaves, or that Lincoln's successor, Andrew Johnson, ignored the living
conditions of these former slaves. Many of the southern governors even passed
state laws in order to keep these ex-slaves in poverty, in situations where they
had no choice but to serve as slaves again. Legally they were free, but many
among them didn't know how to claim that freedom and remained in bondage for the
rest of their lives.
We often find ourselves in a similar situation. We may not be the property of a
plantation owner, but we live in bondage to vicious addictions. No matter how
hard we try to rid ourselves of them, they cling stubbornly to our souls,
keeping us soundly in a state of defeat.
Jesus, however, officially proclaimed our freedom: "If you hold to my teaching,
you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will
set you free… I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a
slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So
if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:31-32, 34-36 NIV)
"Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the
Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son;
and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. (Gal 4:6-7 NIV)
But just like the slaves of old, we too are often confused by this proclamation
and so we continue to live under bondage, not realizing that freedom is within
our grasp.
Freedom is really a question of what we consider to be the truth. Just like the
former-slaves after December 18, 1865. Some enjoyed their freedom because they
fully embraced the truth of the Thirteenth Amendment. Others, however, remained
in bondage letting their current circumstances
be
their reality.
It doesn't have to be this way! Jesus set us free and that is the reality!
We may wonder why we often don't feel free. Our addictions have become acute
obsessions that dominate our very thoughts, dictating that we cannot live
without giving in to their demands, leaving us feeling
utterly miserable and under bondage.
Why?
Is it possible that we are giving credence to a lie instead of experiencing real
freedom?
Is it possible that the evil one has us so confused that he is keeping us in
bondage, hindering us from understanding the truth about our freedom?
Watch what God's Word says about this one:
"You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's
desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not
holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him.
When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar
and the father of lies." (John 8:44 NIV)
"The thief (the devil) comes only to steal and kill and destroy…"
(John 10:10 NIV)
"The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and
follow deceiving spirits…" (1 Tim 4:1 NIV)
The evil one doesn't have our best intentions in mind. He wants to keep us under
his control just as if we were his personal slaves! This is why Peter warns us:
"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring
lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith,
because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same
kind of sufferings." (1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV)
Instead of accepting his word as truth, we are to resist him and be on alert, as
he is only out there for our destruction!
But how can we resist temptation when it comes at our very door?
The text clearly declares that we are to "resist him, standing firm in the
faith". But just as the word "freedom" can at times be quite obscure to us, the
word "faith" can also be quite confusing.
Next week we will discover what faith truly means and we will find out that not
only is it the gateway to heaven through Jesus, but it is also the foundation to
our freedom through Christ.
We are free! It has officially been publicized. Now what are we going to do with
this freedom? Will we continue to live under bondage or will we learn to enjoy
freedom?
It depends on what we consider to be the truth.
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.