THE BIBLE AND FREEDOM (PART 2)

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

 THE BIBLE AND FREEDOM (PART 2) 

                        Deliverance from Spiritual Slavery

Devotional Text: John 8:31-36

INTRODUCTION:

Spiritual slavery is the state of being captured and constrained by the forces of darkness, resulting in unholy living, which automatically bars one out of spiritual sonship. This, our Lord and Blessed Saviour cited when He said,...verily, verily, I say unto you,  whosoever commits sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abides not in the house forever, but the Son abides forever, (John 8:34-35). Spiritual slavery, which is also known as “sin slavery” carries devastating consequences, as it brings its victims to the state of backwardness, since sin makes one come short of the glory of God, (Rom. 3:23). This implies that “sin slavery” has negative impact on                                                                                     everything that the sinner does, and finally leads to death, (6:23).

GENERAL REMARKS

(i)              Sin makes one a spiritual slave, (John 8:34)

(ii)            Sin denies one sonship position in Christ, (vs.35)

(iii)           Sin offers its victims the wages of death, (Rom. 6:23)

(iv)           Sin and its problems can only be destroyed in one’s life by Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, (John 8:36)

SPIRITUAL SLAVERY AND MEMBERSHIP OF GOD’S FAMILY

Membership status of God’s family, which is the grand qualification for admission into the Kingdom of God can only be acquired when one is born again, (John 3:3). But, when reverse is the case, it then, means that one is yet a slave of sin, and so, cannot have permanent place in God’s family, nor access to the Kingdom of Heaven, (John 8:34-35). This is where spiritual slavery comes to focus, for one who sins, according to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Blessed Saviour, is a slave to sin (vs.34), and this denies one the legal right to becoming a child of the Kingdom (vs. 35), as one under such a condition becomes stripped of the Kingdom authority, which brings one under the authority of the devil, instead of positioning one for dominion, according to the Scripture, (Gen. 1:26-28). In other words, spiritual slavery does not only deny one the membership status of the family of God, but also robs one of all rights and privileges of the Kingdom of Heaven. In this connection, therefore, this lesson states that:

(i)                    One who is a slave of sin cannot be a member of God’s family, (John 8:34-35)

(ii)                  One who continues in sin is a slave to sin, (vs. 34)

(iii)                 God does not listen to the prayers of one who continues in sin (John 9:31),because one under

 such a condition has not the rights and privileges of the true sons and daughters of the Kingdom, (John 8:34-35)

SPIRITUAL SLAVERY AND PROGRESS OF THE INDIVIDUAL

Sin is a great hindrance to progress. Thus, God’s Words says...”all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”, (Rom. 3:23). And, according to the already cited Scripture, “one who sins is a slave to sin, (John 8:34). The advent of sin, as recorded in Genesis Chapter 3 shows that it brought about every problem and limitation of mankind. Sin hinders prayer (John 9:31) and equally results in defeat in times of war, (Joshua 7). It, as well brings about toiling without commensurate fruits, (Gen 3). This is not to say that the righteous does not, at times, have setbacks, however, though he falls seven times, according to the Bible, he will definitely rise seven times, (Prov, 24:16). But, the crux of the matter is that, “righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people”, (Prov. 14:34). Furthermore, it is also important to remark here that spiritual slavery, as occasioned by sinning against the Lord, gives the devil the authority over one’s life and economy, and this, results in reproach, (vs.34). Therefore, note that:

(i)              God establishes His people in righteousness and not in sin ,(Isa. 54:14)

(ii)            Righteousness brings progress to the believer, but sin brings disgrace, (Prov.14:34)

(iii)           Spiritual Slavery is Sin Slavery, and slavery is mark  of backwardness, (John 8:34)

SPIRITUAL SLAVERY AND FREEDOM

The expression of our Lord, and Blessed Saviour, Jesus Christ, which remarks that “everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:34-36) strongly shows that He alone can set one free from “Spiritual Slavery” and the problems that come with it. But, one’s submission to the Lord in righteousness or otherwise will determine whether one becomes freed from “sin slavery” or not. For, according to the Holy Scripture... “when one offers oneself to someone to obey him as a slave, one becomes a slave to the one whom one obeys----- whether one is a slave to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness”, (Rom.6:16). This is the climax of the deliverance from spiritual slavery, and the point of victory over sin and the problems that come with it. By this, also, this lesson notes that:

(i)                    Without Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, no other possible way of freedom

 from spiritual slavery, (John 8:34-36)

(ii)                  It is only when one yields to the Lord Jesus Christ in righteousness that freedom

 from spiritual slavery is possible,(Rom. 6:16)

(iii)                 It is only by the grace of God, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that one can be saved from spiritual slavery, (Eph. 2:8)

In conclusion, this lesson has pointedly identified sin as the main cause of spiritual slavery, as well as shows that only Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God Has the power to deliver from the bondage and the associate problems, ranging from setbacks and the other undesirable omens, and so, it serves as an opportunity for freedom. LET THE LORD FIGHT FOR YOU!