“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” – (John 8:36)
When we speak of slavery, many people are revolted, because of the way the system used to exploit those who were under captivity. A slave is ever bonded to serve his master and has no other obligations other than pleasing him. Slaves would serve under a heavy rod and yet would not be paid for their services.
Fortunately, this horrible practice was abolished in 1833 in England; in the US in 1864; until it was completely declared by virtually all nations as illegal. Yes, there are still places where human beings are owned and tasked to do jobs for their owners for free, but the practice is most rare to find nowadays and prohibited under international law.
But while slavery was long abolished, yet, fact is, there are also other forms of slavery that have since substituted and are still with us today. Have you realized that someone could be a slave to money, his job, a car, or some fanciful possession? In this case the person lives to serve that thing which is taking his entire pre occupation. Just like with slavery, the person, has no other life but serving that thing which is his sole object in life.
One of the privileges we have attained as Believers, is freedom. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians, “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” (Gal 5:6). Paul had observed that in spite of their new found freedom in Christ, certain believers were getting trapped into all sorts of laws, living as though Christ had never set them free!
It is a sad thing when someone who has been set free returns to his gallows in spite of the price and sacrifices it took to set him free. As Believers in Christ Jesus we ought always be conscious of this freedom and live to avoid all sorts of entanglements which can lock us back into slavery. As Psalm 119:45, says, “I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts”
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, creator of heaven and earth, I want to thank you for the freedom I have in you, which was bought by the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, and today I pray to walk in that freedom!
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06/05/2024 - 07/05/2024 All day“Do not confirm 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)
Almost all cultivators are aware that if soils are used perpetually without rains but constantly under work they are deprived of all nutrients. So, though once productive, they lose all power to yield fresh crops as before. But so is our Christian life when we do not regularly feed our spirit life with the Word!
In our leading verse, the Apostle Paul is urging believers to “renew” their minds rather than make them stale, lest they end up losing all power to yield fruit. But how is this done? We renew our minds by constantly reading the Word of God, for there are always insights with God speaking to us afresh. Psalm 119:104-5 says, “I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” The Apostle Peter reminds us, “Like newborn babies hungry for milk, you should want the pure teaching that feeds your spirit. With it you can grow and be saved.” It is a beautiful illustration for any who have seen a hungry baby sucking the teats of a mother.
Renewing our minds is also by reading about the lives of people of faith who have walked before us and their created works. The Christian faith started in the first century after Jesus was crucified and resurrected from the dead. Now over two millenniums it has produced giants of faith who have shared their walk with God through inspired teachings that are a treasure to dig into. By scouring the writings of the great saints before us, listening to their recorded sermons, songs and preaching, which these days can be found on virtual medial channels like Yu tube, reading their biographies, our faith is renewed.
And then we also renew our faith through fellowship. When the Apostle Paul urges us, “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” ( Hebrews 10:25), he is reminding us that our faith cannot grow in isolation. During the Covid pandemic lockdown one bitter issue was denying Believers opportunity to meet fellow followers of Christ to share testimonies showing the work of God in their lives.
So today, if your faith is on a low keel, or you want it to flower, one thing you can’t help doing without is “renewing” your mind. The blessings to unfold are endless.
Prayer for today:Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a treasure we have of your rich Word to dig into always; books around us of faith to inspire us; and believers to share our faith- may we make use of these, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
