Introduction
By Funmi Glover
‘Freed!! Freed From Sin!! Now what….’
In the first session, we looked at: The glory (or character) of God and Christ The wretched and worthless state of mankind as slaves of sin in darkness and condemned to death The need for an amazing loving merciful and gracious God to send His beloved Son to pay our costly blood ransom since we or anyone else could not save us The self sacrifice of our Lord and Saviour Jesus and what He had to go through so that He could buy us back to the Father The slave of sin purchased by Christ and now a slave of Christ, a slave of God and freed from sin, condemnation, death and hell.
In this session, I will be talking about the freedom and privileges we as God’s slaves now have; our duties and our choices. Now that we have been bought by God, He is now our master, King and Lord. He owns us completely. He like the physical slave masters becomes our provider, protector, and our law & instruction giver.
We are now slaves of a righteous God and therefore slaves of righteousness (Rom 6:18-23). Like the physical slave we are entirely in His debt and owned by Him. He takes us into His home and since we have no name of worth and own nothing except our filthy rags of sin, we are totally dependent on Him for everything. When God brings us home certain things happen beyond our wildest imagination that would not normally happen to a physical slave.
First of all there is:
Constant Celebration in His Home:
Just like in the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin in Luke 15:1-7 where the lost sheep and coin that were being searched for, were found and friends and neighbours were called to come rejoice and celebrate.
Our story is also like the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32: Like the prodigal son, we were in a repentant state of mind when we decided to come back home to the Lord and be bought by Jesus Christ. Just like the loving father in the story, God continually seeks and looks out for all his dead and lost children, calling them back through Christ.
As prodigal son’s father ran towards him with compassion while he was a long way off and immediately embraced and kissed his son joyfully, God does the same with us. Imagine our reunion!! Just like us when we are sorry and confess our sins, the repentant son apologised to His Father. But while he only wanted to be a hired servant we are bought slaves owned by the Father who is our Lord and Master.
We are not like the hired servant who comes and goes, can complain, moan and refuse to do certain tasks or do it badly or half-heartedly and at the end of the day or month is paid a wage. We remain permanently in God’s house hold to do all He asks of us without question or complaint. We cannot expect to be paid at the end of each day, for our Master has already paid a huge price fully for us beforehand.
Just as the loving father told the servants to put the best robe, ring and shoes on him to show he is a son, God recreates us by washing us himself in the spiritual realm, in His Son’s blood during our immersion and gives us the best robe t wear – the righteousness of Jesus Christ himself (Galatians 3:27). He then puts His Holy Spirit in us as our guarantor, identifying us as God’s own and guaranteeing our inheritance (1Corintians 12:13, 1John1:7).
It is of utmost importance that we wear the right clothes, the one given to us by God, and not one we decide to wear ourselves, or others claim to be the right outfit, because it identifies us of who and whose we are, just like the son’s clothing in the parable. Just as they celebrate the son’s home coming in the parable, God treating us as His children and not just as slaves, celebrates our home coming with all the angels in heaven and with all his children who are still here on earth.
So what type of freed slaves should we be in the household of such a mighty, loving, holy and righteous God?
Some may feel they have more rights than others because they have been in the kingdom a long time Some may behave in such a way that they have forgotten they are still slaves because of the Lord’s blessings Some may have forgotten the amazing grace God Himself showed to save them while Some hibernate and try to hide Yet some never forget but keep serving their master and Lord fervently growing and using their talents
This reminds us of the older son in the parable who was angry threw a tantrum, refused to go in to celebrate and was rude to his father when he come out to plead with him. Luke 15:29-32: His Father replied and said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’
May we never be arrogant and forget where we have been bought from; may we gently remind others when they forget and may we never stop rejoicing especially when people are saved.
Our blessings in Christ: Let us look in more detail at some of the blessings we have in Christ. The Glory of God in us as saved believers: It is the blessed state of believers in Christ. Just as God created man in His image and likeness (Gen1:26), we are all now being transformed by the Holy Spirit in us, into God’s image with ever-increasing glory.
His divine power has also granted us through the knowledge we have of Him:
Everything we need for life and godliness
His very great and precious promises and the blessing of participating in God’s divine nature as we fellowship with Him (2 Peter 1:3-4).
Our Covenant relationship:
God makes a covenant with all of us who are now His children just as He made covenants with Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Israel. As long as we remain in Christ as His freed slaves for submission to God’s will: He is our God and we are His people (2 Corinthians 6:16-18).
He puts His laws in our hearts, and writes them on our minds. Our sins and lawless acts He has removed permanently and will never ever remember them” Hebrews 10:15-17
He will continually wash us clean by the blood of His Son (1 John 1:7) God the Father and Jesus the Son will always live in us (John 14:23). The Holy Spirit also lives permanently in us as God’s mark and seal on us (Ephesians 1:13-14). He does not come and go. As our Counsellor, he reminds us of whose we are and of God’s will and word. He is our: Comforter -Guide -Prayer Companion, and Stirs us to obey God.
Wow!! What a blessing!!! We are never alone anymore! Not only that we are now in fellowship with all those who are saved in Christ, we are also in an extremely close fellowship with God- the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I pray we continue to walk closely with God in His light always fellowshipping with each another.
Our Nationality & Home is Heaven
Our citizenship is in heaven like all the faithfuls mentioned in Hebrews 11 who desired a heavenly country whose designer and builder is God. From heaven we now await our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly falling apart bodies to be like His glorious body (Philipians 3:20-21).
God delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, the kingdom of light, the church in which the King’s sceptre is righteousness. We are His saints, His called out ones, whom He has made to be a holy people, a holy nation His royal priesthood who inherit and have full rights in his household and kingdom. He made each of us a building block of His living temple for His Holy Spirit to dwell in Colossians 1:12-14, Heb 11:8-10, 13-16, 1 Peter 1:9.
Heb 13:18-24 describes our heavenly home in which we now dwell as the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. In it are:
innumerable angels gathered in celebration the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven, God, the judge of all, spirits of the righteous made perfect, Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant, the powerful blood of Jesus (that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel).
The saints in Ephesus were greeted by Paul as faithful in Christ Jesus (who Paul says is seated in the heavenly realms). Note that they were in Ephesus and in Christ simultaneously as right now we are here in Lancaster and in heaven with Christ. Ephesians 1:1, Colossian 3:1-3.
What is your nationality now? Do you ever say you are a citizen of heaven and of Britain? How comfortable are we in this world? Do we desire and long for our heavenly home each day?
Holy Priesthood
We are all priests in God’s kingdom and we must all worship Him in spirit and in truth through Jesus our Lord. We must be ready to constantly present our bodies as a living sacrifice holy, acceptable and pleasing to God as our spiritual worship while we walk in the truth of His word. Romans 12:1-4, 1 Peter2:5. How is your daily worship life in Christ?
Sonship & Ambassadors
The Holy Spirit reminds us that: We are fully adopted children We are wearing God’s Name -“Holy unto the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 14:20-21)
We are blessed with immeasurable riches in Christ Our inheritance is securely kept in heaven 1 Peter 1:3-4 We can confidently approach God’s throne, the Most Holy Place, ourselves at any time and the Lord Jesus will mediate while the Holy Spirit helps us. We as females and gentiles had nothing. Now we have full rights as sons and unlike the High Priest under the old law, who could only enter the holy of holies once a year , we can come into God’s presence confidently anytime. We are also a real family- blood related brothers and sisters in Christ!
What a privilege and honour we now have. How blessed we truly are!! As children and ambassadors of Christ presenting God to the world, may we always honour, respect and obey God; and not bring His name to disrepute, disgrace or shame.
Beautiful Bride
God gives us (His church) to His Son as His bride making us radiant, beautiful, without spot or wrinkles, clothed with fine linen pure and bright which is our righteous deeds, shining bright, pure and amazing so we could reflect His character and glorious beauty. Isaiah 54:5, Ephesians 5:25-27, 2 Corinthians 11:2, Revelation 19:7-9, 21:9-27.
The beauty of the bride, the church is breath taking. As Christ’s bride we are far more glorious in splendour than all the beautiful brides of the earth put together. Wow, we are amazing and gorgeous! May we never give this up for anything!
Our Responsibilities & (Righteous Deeds) in the Kingdom
If then as slaves of God and slaves of righteousness (i.e. doing the things that are right with God), and we are also blessed in a covenant relationship, with a home in heaven, serving as His holy priests, and His ambassadors, while He treated us as His sons with full rights and even gives us to His beloved Son, Jesus as a beautiful bride, then what responsibilities do we have in His household and kingdom?
Our Advocate & Our Truly Repentant state of mind
We should not continually sin as if we are still in the world of darkness. But if we sin while in the light, Jesus Christ will speak with the Father in our defence as our advocate because He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins 1 John 1:7-10; 2:1-2. At the same time we have a responsibility to always have a truly repentant heart and mind that is sorrowful and seeks to change (2 Corinthians 7:10).
Just like the woman whose tears fell on Jesus’ feet while He was in the house of Simon the Pharisee. She wiped them off with her hair, kissed them and then anointed his feet with an expensive ointment Luke 7:36-50. Jesus told to the woman her faith had saved her and she should go in peace. Just like her, we have peace of mind, an amazing undeserved love, mercy and hope from God.
Unlike Simon, the Pharisee, we must never show favouritism, look down in judgement on others, have a self confident, arrogant behaviour or have a self-righteous know it all attitude, because we all needed, and still need God’s forgiveness and grace each day. We must never ever forget our previous wretched state.
Therefore Honour God in Christ just like Mary, Martha and Lazarus who not only invited Jesus for dinner and while Martha served Him, Mary anointed the feet of Jesus with very expensive ointment made from pure nard, and wiped his feet with her hair. John 12:1-3 How far are we willing to honour & serve Jesus with our bodies and our possessions?
New Self/ New Attitude/New Mind states
If then you have been raised with Christ, Paul asks us in Colossians 3:1-4 to: seek the things that are above in heaven Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
What things are on our mind most of the time? Constant Gratitude & faithfulness We all teach the little children and even remind the older ones to say thank you when they get something.
Similarly when we constantly remember all God has done for us in Christ Jesus by His Spirit we will constantly say thank you to Him and will always have a true fervent grateful and joyful heart. We will gladly serve Him faithfully with our best, without waning, no matter the cost to us.
Look at Mary Magdalene from whom the Lord drove out seven demons, I don’t think she ever forgot what Jesus did for her. She loved the Lord very much and remained as one of the many women who helped him in his mission. She was also the first person who had the amazing privilege to see the risen Lord (Mark 16:9-10 John 20:11-18). We should therefore always rejoice and give thanks to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ for everything and every situation.
Walk in Love with Wisdom We are commanded to love the Lord with all our being (heart, soul, strength and mind) just as God so loved us and sent His Son to die for us. We are to love our neighbour as ourselves; love our enemies and do good to them and we are to love each other as God loves us; because God is in us and His love is therefore made complete in us. In our actions we are to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
If we love God we will obey His commands which are not a burden. Luke 10:27; John 14:21, 23; John 15:12, 17; 2Co9:8-9; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 John 4:7-2; 1 John 5:1-3 May we never forget the humiliation, shame and scourging Jesus went through for us and so show our love as we walk wisely making the best use of our time here on earth.
Walk in Unity & Humility – Philippians 2:1-8
If Jesus did not hang on to being God as if for dear life but humbled himself to serve even to the extent of dying a humiliating death on a cross for us, we too like Jesus must always be humble, not selfishly ambitious and even consider others better than ourselves while we look out for their needs.
When we do this we will be able to walk in unity with each other which is of paramount importance to God the Father and Jesus who prayed we would be one just as He and the Father are one. Disagreements hurt Jesus’ body: The disagreement between Euodia and Syntyche was affecting the church in Philippi and even the preaching the gospel. Philippians 4:2-3
We must always sort out our differences the way Jesus tells us (Matthew 5:21-26, 18:15-20) and be ready to help each other when division arise and not leave it to fester, while submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
This way will not devour and consume each other but fulfil the law of Christ in love and be pleasing to our God, creator, King and Master. May we always walk with all humility, gentleness and patience while bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Walk as children of light not darkness Shining as stars Living pure lives (action & thought) Christ has set us free from sin. We must not use our freedom to sin or make ourselves slaves to sin. We need to avoid sin in thought, speech and action because we are new and it is out of place for us.
We are no longer part of the world in which we are physically living in. We do not need to conform to their thoughts and actions anymore or be partners with them even if we are in the minority. We must not let anyone deceive us with empty words, just like Eve was deceived by Satan. We need to be transformed for we are being renewed in knowledge after the image of our creator. We are “Holy unto the LORD of hosts”!!!
When we let the Holy Spirit lead us and keep in step with Him: We will not gratify the desires of the flesh God will be glorified The work of the Holy Spirit in us will not be in vain The name of our Lord Jesus will not be maligned We will not be crucifying the Lord all over again The manifold wisdom of God is being made known through us in the spiritual realm
We will shine among them like stars in the sky as we hold firmly to the word of life (Alpha centaur, 3rd brightest star in the sky is 4.37 light years away x 5,865,696,000,000 miles away) Matthew 5:13-15; Ephesians 3:10-11, 5:3-14; Philippians 2:12-16; Colossians 3:16-17; 1 Peter 2:12 May we always remember that we are: “Holy unto the LORD of hosts”
We Have a Responsibility to grow
Let us make every effort to grow in the qualities of the Spirit and bear a lot of His fruit which consist of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, knowledge, godliness, love.
This will show that we are, Owned by God, Bring Him glory Him and Prevent us falling away. As obedient slaves desiring to do God’s will we can bear fruit that leads to holiness and eternal life Romans 6:15-22, 2 Peter 1:5-11 If we do not grow, God will cut us off as we will be like dead branches on a vine that need to be pruned off. (John 15).
Family Relationships
We have already seen how privileged we are and what our attitude and behaviour should always be as children of God and slaves of His righteousness, who are reflecting His glory. Therefore, remembering that we are “Holy unto the LORD of Hosts”
and in submission to Him and to each other, it should not be a burden for us to obey God when in Colossians 3:18-21, He wants: Wives to submit to their husbands. This is so that even if some husbands do not obey the Word, they may be won without words when they see their wives respectful and pure conduct as God’s children.
Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the church, and must not be harsh with them. Fathers are not to provoke their children so they don’t become discouraged Children are to obey their parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord (note there is no age limit!)
Whether we are physical and / or spiritual parents, aunts, uncles, brothers or sisters in Christ, we each have a responsibility to help the young ones know God and to support each other for we are a blood related family.
Physical Vs Spiritual Beauty
Our spiritual beauty should always shine above our physical beauty. We should spend far more time grooming and beautifying our spiritual selves in having a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in God’s sight and last forever, rather than our physical bodies, though that in itself is important.
For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves. We will be just like Sarah who was amazingly physically beautiful but this paled to insignificance compared to her spiritual beauty. And so she was commended for her faith, humility, gentleness and good deeds. Hebrews 11; 1 Peter 3:1-6 May we keep on doing good and always beautify ourselves spiritually
Hospitality & Benevolence
Our greatest example of benevolence is of God giving His only Son to die for us who at the time were His enemies. May we always remember that: It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35) Many have entertained angels and the Lord without knowing it (Heb13:2) Whatever we do for each other we are doing for Jesus our Lord (Matthew 25:31-46) It results in Christians enjoying the favour and affection of people and more souls being saved e.g.
The benevolent acts of Tabitha’s (Dorcas) resulted in affection for her and people being saved (Acts 2:45-47; 9:3642) It supplies the needs of our brethren and everyone else It always results in praise and thanksgiving to God (Acts16:1-3; 2Corinthians 9:12-15). May we not neglect to do good and to share what we have individually and as a church to all who have need for such sacrifices are pleasing to God (Hebrews 13:16)
Prayer
Prayer is meditating and talking with God Let us approach God’s throne of grace boldly, humbly and frequently to communicate with Him Our prayer time should be meditative with requests, thanksgiving, and just talking with God. Let us devote ourselves to praying fervently always, daily, by faith, with thankful hearts believing we will be heard.
God answers prayers according to His will. It may be YES as with Hannah praying for a son, or NO, as with Jesus praying for him not to go through the sacrifice, OR WAIT, as Sarah who waited 25 years to have Isaac. Our desire to trust and obey God must never depend on His reply to our prayers.
Let us always remember to pray more for spiritual things e.g. the gospel to be preached boldly by all, for those of us in spiritual difficulties, for spiritual growth, church leaders and teachers and also for e.g. our governments, children, everyone and not just the physically sick though that is important.
Let us never stop supporting and praying for each other. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Elijah was a human being, just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. James 5:13-18
May we be a powerful people of prayer who constantly pray fervently by faith without ceasing before the throne of God!
Praising God in Psalms/Songs/ Hymns We have everything to be thankful for even in difficult situations. Therefore we should rejoice always and in so doing praise God. (Philippians 4:4).
Let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of our lips, that acknowledge His Name Hebrews 13:15-16
We should encourage each other more with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody (music) to the Lord with our heart which is our musical instrument. Ephesians 5:19 When we sing do we sing from our heart (with emotion) and mean the words or mumble?
Do we sing with understanding, for some songs are not necessarily biblically correct (e.g. ‘this little light of mine’ which we teach the kids), We sing songs like: Take my life and let it be, O Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary, Lord I offer my life to you everything I have been through use it for your glory
Do we really mean each word because sometimes we moan, complain or want things our way? Next time we sing, I pray we sing with all our being and truly mean each word we sing for they are a sweet smelling aroma to God.
Studying & Teaching
The Word Of God God’s word is living and active and can change our lives. Therefore we all have a responsibility to: Understand what God’s will is for us so we can do His work Do our best to study God’s word daily Correctly handle the word of truth and be sound in doctrine Learn with a gentle and quiet spirit and not be quarrelsome & cause division Always check what is being taught is Truth
Lovingly live by the Truth without compromises on God’s word Know the Truth so we would not be confused by other teachings or be ashamed to tell others Lovingly share what we have learnt and our experiences with everyone- young & old to help them (Ephesians 5:1-19, Timothy 4:14-15, 2Timothy1:5-9, 14-15, Titus2:1-5)
Study and meditate on His word, understand it
Use it in life Grow in grace & knowledge. Knowing the scriptures will equip us in our walk with God. It will help us in dealing with sin, temptations, distractions and difficulties just like the psalmist in Psalm 119:9-16; and like Jesus when He was tempted by the devil after He fasted for 40 days and nights in Matthew 4:1-11.
Let us also follow the examples of Deborah who used her faith and wisdom to judge Israel righteously and Lois & Eunice who taught Timothy the scriptures, and whose faith in turn glorified God.
Let us also have the mind set to be trained and to train ourselves in the words of the faith and good doctrine for godliness because it will be of benefit to us now & for eternity 1Timothy 3:12-13; 4:6:8
Outreach
spreading the good news of salvation (Matthew 28:16-20, 1 Corinthians 15:1-10) This is of first importance to God and part of Jesus’ last commands before He ascended, and so it should be of importance to us too. God has only one amazing plan of salvation and it is a privilege for us to work with God in it.
Since we recognise our wretched state and now know the love, salvation and blessings of God for us, we should strongly desire this for others. We must see their true wretched state as the walking dead in darkness.
We should always pray earnestly that God will open their hearts and mind and that He will open the door for each of us to tell them boldly and lovingly of their true spiritual state, the love, mercy and grace of God for them, seen in the death, burial and resurrection of His beloved Son, Jesus, in paying the blood ransom for them and us; and therefore the amazing hope we each have in obeying His call to come and be bought back, washed clean, forgiven and be blessed. Tell them your story also and let them relate to it.
Encouraging, helping and building up one another We need to make every effort to spend time regularly with each other individually or in groups like the Christians in Acts 2:42-47. Let us use technology to its fullest- calling, texting, emailing, skyping, video calling, using whatsapp, and social media.
We are a family, let us keep in touch regularly and consider how we could spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not giving up meeting together but encourage one another daily. Hebrews 10:24-25 We are surrounded by the great cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 1, and all the faithful’s of old, who are encouraging all of us and cheering us along each and every day; and we are also encouraged by our brethren.
My sisters in Christ, be encouraged to run this marathon race with perseverance just like they did, while we are focusing on our eternal goal, heaven. Let us also glue our eyes and mind on Jesus in heaven, who endured and finished His race. So don’t grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-13
Trials & Tribulations (Suffering for Righteousness’ Sake) Ephesians 6:10-18
Be ready to fight at all times: Put on the whole armour of God for we are people of power in a spiritual war. Paul encourages all of us to: Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armour of God so that we can to stand against the schemes of the devil To take up the whole armour of God and having done all, to stand firm.
God’s whole armour consists: God’s Truth, God’s righteousness, God’s gospel of peace, God’s shield of saving faith, God’s salvation in Christ, The powerful word of God (the bible) We also must pray at all times in the Spirit and pray for wisdom to deal with the situation we are in, while keeping alert and persevering to the end. God is recreating and moulding us to His honour and glory. Focus on one day at a time for that is all we are given. Always remember that “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:8:16:
Remember that we will be blessed if we suffer for righteousness’ sake. We are in good company when we are faced with trials. Remember the faithfuls in Hebrews 11, the Apostles and the Lord Jesus. Let us remember God’s word and use it like Jesus did whenever He was tempted and tried. Let us not be afraid or be troubled, but let us honour Christ the Lord as holy in our hearts. And let us keep shining as stars for we are “Holy unto the LORD of Hosts”!!!
Do Not Grow Weary
Jesus wants us to keep following His example
Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but
He disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:3-17)
James encourages us to still be joyful in our trials because our faith is being tested and will produce steadfastness and perseverance which in the end will enable us to be mature, complete and lack nothing (James 1:2-3).
Isaiah reminds us to wait upon the LORD and be strengthened by Him (Isaiah 40:28-31).
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
My beloved sisters, stand firm in your faith and don’t give up. Don’t be overcome with evil but overcome evil with good. Keep working and walking in the Lord. You will make it and your labour will not be in vain. Our Choice Just as Israel had to choose between serving God and idols, we too must choose between serving God and the world or ourselves (our desires and greed).
Physical slaves could leave once freed, though some chose to stay with their masters e.g. if they were in a relationship with them. God also commanded the Israelites to free their Hebrew slaves after they had served them for six years but unlike other slaves, they were to bless them willingly and abundantly with things for daily living as the LORD had blessed them. (Exodus 21:1-4, Deuteronomy 15:12-18)
Now if the slave, male or female, refused to leave their master and family because they loved their master and they realised how well off they are with the master, then the master will bring the slave to God, to the door or doorpost, take an awl and put it through their ear into the door, boring a hole in their ear so they shall be his slave forever. In the same way we can choose each and every day not just when we decided to be redeemed and bought back to our God.
Today we have the same choice to stay as freed slaves in Christ with our ears, heart and mind pierced, in faithful obedience, pleasing God until the end and receive a full life now and eternal life when the Lord Jesus comes back to take us home to heaven.; OR to walk away back into darkness, losing our joy in Christ and letting Satan win the battle.
Covenant God of Promises
God is with us always to the end of time (Matthew 28: 20). We have a loving, faithful and powerful God who keeps all His promises. He is with us through all our difficulties and distractions, moulding us to be the children He is proud of. Let us stand fast and not submit to the yoke of slavery (whether it be sin or any other human doctrine or teaching). Let us overcome evil with good.
Let us walk joyfully praising God with our whole being, within the boundaries of the freedom God gives us while we grow in His grace and knowledge, bearing the Fruit of His Holy Spirit. In the end He will welcome us joyfully into our heavenly home and say: “Well done my good and faithful servant”
