We all learned about the horrors of slavery in school. Some of us have even learned from family descendants of slavery, while others are painfully aware that it still exists today, in our backyards. Our children also will learn, and we’ll have to face tough questions. How did this happen? How could this happen? How could people stand by and watch this go on? And how can it still go on?
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32
Yet many of us take on our own form of slavery. We make choices each day to pick up a yoke of slavery to this world. Do we want our children to be free? Of course! Do we want them seeking hard after the righteousness of Christ? Absolutely! Then why do we model for our babies that which would enslave them? Our own bondage leads them right into their slavery.
“Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.’” John 8:34
There is no doubt that we sin. And there is absolutely no use in comparing big sins and little sins…it is still sin. Regardless of what sin it is, Jesus plainly says in John 8:34 that our sin makes us a slave to it, and when He says, “Truly, truly,” I think He means it. Peter echoes this by saying that whatever overcomes a person enslaves him (2 Peter 2:19). We think we’re not overcome by anything. Nothing controls us. Or does it?
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
It’s our motives, our thoughts, our yearnings that get us in trouble. As we go about our days, thinking about what the world does, what the world thinks of us and what the world can give us, we become slaves to the world. We strive after more, bigger and better. We spend a lot of time and money on looking better, younger and successful. But our possessions, our images, our wrinkles, our clothes and our Facebook statuses are meaningless on an eternal, spiritual perspective.
“Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:11
The quest for what the world gives results in our setting our minds on the flesh. Romans Chapter 8 clearly tells us that when we live according to the flesh our minds are on the things of the flesh. The comforts and pleasures we receive from the world are all about our flesh. We fear what the world thinks of us so we have to look and act a certain way in order to obtain acceptance and relevance. But that relevance and acceptance and those possessions glorify the world. The mind of the flesh is death and cannot please God because we, and our quest for the world’s stamp of approval, become more important than the righteousness of God. It’s idolatry, plain and simple. Idolatry is sin, and sin results in slavery.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
Paul reminds us that if the Spirit of God lives in us, we did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear (Romans 6:15). There it is again…the root of fear. When we look at our vanity, our idolatry, our chasing after what the world offers, doesn’t it come down to fear? Fear of not being accepted, of being judged, of not having control, of not having our standards of “needs” met or fear of not being loved. This is where we are deceived. This is where we are led astray. Fear. But there is no fear in love, God’s perfect love casts out fear. In fact, God IS love. (1 John 4:8, 18). Jesus is the example of that love.
“God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world.” 1 Corinthians 7:23.
As we shrug off the world’s yoke and reflect over how it got there, we should promptly pick up another. This one reminds you of Whose you are. Jesus encourages us to “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). The apostle Peter, in 2 Peter 2:16, reminds us that we are to live as free people, as God’s slaves. Slaves to what God thinks, and what God desires for us and gives to us, not the world. Paul then reiterates in Romans chapter 6 that while we have been set free from sin, we are now slaves of righteousness. Righteousness that leads to sanctification, which is the process of becoming more and more like Jesus, bearing the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
“Now the Lord is Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17
The same passage of Romans 8 that speaks to the mind of the flesh contrasts it to those who live according to the Spirit. Those who seek after the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit, yielding life and a mind of peace. The peace that Jesus promised would come when He left in John 14:27. He contrasted it with the world by noting that He does not give as the world gives. It is the peace that comes from living in the Spirit and dwelling on the eternal kingdom of God, and His righteousness.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33
See, we have it backward. We go after the things of this world to fill our needs. We pursue temporary stuff and a world-pleasing image to comfort ourselves with, when really we should be seeking the eternal kingdom and pursuing His righteousness and will. The other “stuff” will come as He sees we need it, if at all. This requires a daily evaluation of where our treasure is and what shackles we’ve taken on that have put us in bondage to the world. Jesus said that where our treasure is, our heart is (Luke 12:34). He had to urge the people then, just as His Spirit prompts us today, to not be “anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you put on” (Luke 12:22). The world had a lure then, just as it does now. But the lure comes with a catch if we’re not looking at it in the proper order and perspective.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
Look, folks, I know. I know it is a struggle. We’re all in it and we’re all dirty from it. Jesus told us to choose to follow Him by picking up our crosses daily… He knew what we would face because He faced it too, victoriously. He prayed for us in John chapter 17 because we live and struggle in this world. He knew the deceit and the lies we would face, and knowing that, prayed that while we are here in the world, God would keep us safe from the evil one (the father of lies) because we are not of this world. He prayed we would be sanctified in God’s truth- the word He gave to us and exemplified for us. He showed the way of love and righteousness, which is what our soul craves and is worth so much more than what the world can offer. Our enslavement, and that of our children, involves a choice. Who will we be slaves to? Who will our children be slaves to? Are we leading our children to be slaves to Christ, exemplifying His righteousness, His truth, and His love IN the world, rather than slaves TO the world?
“Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions – is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15-17
