Yesterday, one friend shared that the country she was born in forbid any criticism of government leaders. Those who did and were reported would likely not be seen again. When she moved to Great Britain and heard people speak badly about the Queen, she intensely worried for their safety.
Sometimes slavery is being forced to serve other people. Sometimes it is slavery to bad habits or a way of life. Always it is slavery to that power that holds people from being all that they could be — slavery to sin. When Jesus came, He said:
“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They (religious leaders) answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:31–36)I’m thinking of what can enslave me in terms of my current life in my part of the world. One is fear, fear of future events, and current threats in political decisions. We just had an election in which the winner has a vague history in ruling a country and the opposition leader lost in his riding and must resign. Talk and promises can sound good, but fear of what happens next could put many in bondage to their fears.
Another threat is aging. A former friend died this month at 103. I can hear her laugh. Will I live that long? Be healthy? I realize that God could call me home anytime. I could be in bondage to concerns about who will be the first in our household to die and how will the remaining person manage? If it is me, will I need to move again? Many questions, but the future is never known or made certain.
I could also be a slave to my I-wants. A big one is wanting to see ALL my family knowing and walking with Jesus. Some do. Some are far from it. Praying daily for them, yet this burden could ruin my freedom to think or do much else.
I could also be a slave to ignorance. We listen to people rant about something they read on social media but didn’t check it out — a total pack of lies. I hear others go on about their problems yet never seem to look for solutions. They enjoy being in the dark? They like to occupy their minds with stuff that is not true? I don’t understand this, but realize I could also be a slave to lies.
Yet Jesus said, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” The key? “If you abide in my Word… and you will know the truth…” Knowing and believing what God says and sticking to it (abiding) is the key to freedom, freedom from fear, life’s concerns, selfish ideas and habits, and even ignorance. It means reading it, not just as an exercise, but in search for truth that produces trust and takes away fear. Truth that makes me know the folly of worry, the futility of my wants in comparison to the wonderful will of God, and truth that breaks the power of ignorance.
PRAY: Oh Lord Jesus, I am so glad that You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life that is offered to me as a gift because of Your amazing grace and mercy. I can be confident, not fearful or worried as I read it, joyful and assured of Your wisdom and care. This isn’t just about me either, but about the state of the world near and far. You are God and those who try to be will eventually discover that they are not. Amen.
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