CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES

This Month's Theme: 

“Forced Servitude ”

Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

Slavery is described as, “the enforced servitude of a person or group of people”. A slave does not enjoy personal rights, and is the property of another through birth, purchase, or capture. Servitude has always been a word that sits as bile in the throats of all whom it applies. Wars have been fought to stop it; many men have died trying to escape it.

Yet, the Apostle Paul describes that every man and woman are in servitude to the supreme enslaver of men, SIN! How can men understand the horrible and demeaning practice of slavery, yet willingly submit themselves to servitude? The answer lies in the fact that this one task master is not visible to the untrained eye. Sin works in anonymity on the un-educated, unbelieving, and the unconcerned. However, the Lord would say concerning this:

John 8:34 “Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin .”

So, how do we know what sin is? How do we avoid it? What are the results of our choices?

The answers to these questions will be the basis for the body of this lesson, and we will try to work with them in order!

• What is Sin?

1 John 3:4 “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.”

Servitude to sin is brought about by several things. But in its simplest form, it is brought about by a refusal to recognize God and seek His desires for our lives. In a life of servitude to sin, our desire to seek the will of the creator, is replaced with a desire for the temporal things of this world, note:

1 John 2:15-17 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

All sin is against God; thus sin separates us from God. This separation is the origin of our enforced servitude. When we sin and separate ourselves from God, we become the servants of Satan and the realm of sin that he reigns over (as described in the previous passage of scripture – also see: John 8:44 ). This servitude, if not broken, leads the party enslaved to it, to death. This death is described through the word of God as eternal separation from the presence of God and the accompanied suffering of the soul that comes with it ( II Thessalonians 1:8-9 ).

The Apostle John would describe God as light (truth), and in Him is no darkness (sin – I John 1: 5-7 ). Thus, if one walks in darkness (sin), this person cannot be in fellowship with God! This is regardless of the belief of this individual; because if sin is lawlessness and the person separated by sin walks thus because he is oblivious to the laws of God, he has chosen a path of destruction through ignorance.

John 7:7 “The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.”

When the Lord came to this world in the form of man, there were many who claimed to love God through the Law of Moses, yet, their works were contrary to their stated love (this is also the thought of Matthew 7:21 ).

• How Do We Avoid Sin?

Ephesians 2:1 “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,”

Here, the Apostle Paul would describe a people who were dead, but are now alive. The death described here is a death in trespass and sins (that which separates from God). In addition, we see that there are people in Ephesus who have escaped this death! How did this transpire? What is their secret to freedom?

In the first chapter of this letter, and the first verse ; Paul describes that he is writing to saints and those who are faithful “IN” Christ. It was this relationship “IN” Christ, which had made them alive to God and free from sin. When did this take place? Since they are alive now (present tense), this transformation “IN” Christ had to have taken place prior to this letter. The Apostle Paul visited Ephesus the first time at the end of the second preaching journey ( Acts 18:19 -20 ); where he would preach the good news concerning life in Christ (but did not stay long, as he wanted to go to Jerusalem before the feast – Vs.21 ). However, he would return at the beginning of the third preaching journey and stay and preach the Gospel to all of Asia ( Chap. 19:1-10 ). Along with the preaching of the good news concerning Christ and the freedom He offers all men; those who believed were baptized. This is the same baptism described in the second chapter of the book of Acts , note:

Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins ; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Did you notice the healing power of baptism? The remission of sins! The removal of all that separates us from God, and enslaves us to this world!

Galatians 3:26-27 “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

To all the Christians that the New Testament of Jesus Christ was written to (from Romans to Revelation); they all participated in this removal of sin ( Romans 6:3-4 ; I Corinthians 1:2 ; 12:12 -13 ; Ephesians 5:26 ; Colossians 2:11 -13 ; Titus 3:5 ; I Peter 3:21 ).

This single act of faith places us “IN” Christ and blesses us with all the provisional spiritual blessings that Christ provides those who are His ( Ephesians 1:1-14 ). In addition, it provides us with the continual protection from sin and it's separation from God ( I John 1: 7-10 ).

Knowing that this instruction is of God, we now know that disobedience to this simple instruction constitutes lawlessness! This principle embodies then the Christian's life. They are no longer servants of sin, but of righteousness ( Romans 6:17 -18 ). This is to learn and know the will of God, and then to put into practice the things that we learn, bending our will to His. It also tells us that the Christians, who enjoy this relationship with God in Christ, can lose it! Note:

Hebrews 4:1 “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.”

So, like the Ephesians, we must first find the absolution of our previous sins (through Baptism into Christ Jesus our Lord), then we must depart from the iniquities we engaged in prior to our re-birth ( Ephesians 2:2-3 ). In this re-birth from our sinful past, we become crafted by the hand of God Himself, “IN” Christ Jesus for good works (these are works of righteousness that God prepared long ago that we should freely “WALK” in them – Ephesians 2:10 ). These works of righteousness are described in the Fifth chapter of the letter to the Ephesians (walk in love, light, and wisdom). Walking in love is described by keeping the commandments of God ( I John 5:3 ); acting in the best interests of the one or ones we love. Walking in light is described by the effort to seek truth in God's word ( II Timothy 2:14 -19 ; 3:16 -17 ). To know the will of God is only one part of the process towards righteousness. We must walk in wisdom! That is to put into practice the things that we learn ( James 1:22 -25 ).

• What are the Results of Our Choices?

Mark 16:15-16 “And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

Will you willingly remain in forced servitude? Can you, who knowingly hate slavery, remain in it? Be free “IN” Christ Jesus the Lord and live for freedoms true promise, eternal life with God.

Colossians 2:13 “And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses ,”

Free Yourselves Today !

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