The Slavery That Frees - Protestant Caucus/ Devotional

Gracetoyou.org ^ | 1993 | John Macarthur, Grace Community Church

[metmom]

“In [Christ] we have redemption” (Eph. 1:7).

Slavery to sin is bondage; slavery to God is freedom.

Freedom is a precious thing. People throughout history have prayed, fought, and even died for it. Our Declaration of Independence upholds it as one of our inalienable rights.

But the truth is, no matter what one’s political situation might be, everyone is a slave—either to sin or to God. Jesus said that “everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin” (John 8:34). Paul added that all of creation is in slavery to corruption (Rom. 8:21). However, believers have “been freed from sin and enslaved to God” (Rom. 6:22).

The Roman Empire had as many as twenty million slaves; slave trade was a major industry. For a slave to gain his or her freedom, a redemption price had to be paid. The Greek word for such a transaction is lutroō, which Paul uses in Ephesians 1:7 to speak of our “redemption” from sin’s bondage.

Slavery to sin is bondage; slavery to God is freedom. That sounds paradoxical, but God is the Sovereign King, and true freedom means having the ability to bend your will to His and thereby become all He created you to be. Even though you will fail at times, your greatest desire and highest pursuit as a believer is to be like Christ (1 John 2:5-6). Those enslaved to sin cannot do that, nor do they want to.

Today you will have many opportunities to demonstrate your submission to Christ. Let your attitudes and actions speak clearly of your love for the Master.

Suggestions for Prayer

Thank the Lord that He is a faithful and just Master who always does what is best for His servants. A self-seeking slave is a contradiction in terms. Ask the Lord to guard you from thoughts and actions that are contrary to His will.

For Further Study

According to 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 what key characteristic is required of a servant of Christ?

Read Matthew 24:42-51. How does Jesus describe a wise servant?

Read Philippians 2:5-11. How did Jesus demonstrate the heart of a servant? What implications does His example have for your life?

From Drawing Near by John MacArthur Copyright © 1993. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.

[metmom]

Studying God’s Word Ping

[Big Red Badger]

Bob Dylans’ song
Ya Gotta serve Somebody.
.
I gotta link here...
Somewhere

[MurphsLaw]

Also,

14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.
15 No longer do I call you servants,
[a] for the servant[b] does not know what his master is doing;
but I have called you friends,
for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you...

[Big Red Badger]

John 15...
To be a Friend of God has crossed
My mind lately.
Enoch and Abraham have that distinction.
.
Did they share ‘Knock-Knock’ jokes?
.
Thanks Murph

[MurphsLaw]

Ha!
Yes humor! That was good!

Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Heaven.
Heaven who?
Heaven seen you in ages!

[Big Red Badger]

I started a prayer ‘Our Father.
Thy Will be Done..’
I caught my self thinking that it’s
‘My Will’-— for the most part.
.
Then it popped in my head...
I’m sending ‘Jonahs’ Whale’.-—?!?
.
I live in The Desert !
Me Thinking...
Then——
We Both Laughed.
.
Am I Going Nutz?

[Big Red Badger]

Please see above

????
Clazy?