SLAVERY IS FREEDOM

JEREMIAH 34:8-21,  ROM.6:15-23

INTRODUCTION

Since everyone is a slave either to sin or to God, it is best to choose whose slave you will be. The issue is “what then?” shall we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? By no means!” Rom.6:15. If God loves us whether we sin or not, then why not continue to sin as much as we please?

To live “Under grace” means freedom to do not what we want but what God wants. Freedom means, freedom for obedience, not an excuse for disobedience. Sin does matter much before God. Freedom does not mean the absence of rules- in free countries there is a lot of rules. Living for God there are rules. Our minds are weak in understanding (Rom.6:19). The principle is “God is our Master to who we owe total commitment”. The liberty which Christ has purchased for believers under the gospel consists in their yielding obedience unto Him, not out of slavish fear, but a child-like love, and a willing mind. So let God, not sin- rule your life (Rom.6:19). We are no longer slaves to sin (devil), but slaves to God!

Let us learn:-

I. THE TRUTH ABOUT FREEDOM

1. Many people think that serving ONESELF is freedom. The truth is that “freedom” from God is slavery to the power of sin.

• The prodigal son wanted to be free from his father but became a slave to sin.
• He wanted to be happy, he became miserable.
• He wanted to be satisfied, he became hungry.
• He wanted company, he became lonely.
• You are a slave to the one you obey. Slave to sin leads to death, Obedience to God leads to righteousness (Rom.6:16)
• Everyone who sins is a slave to sin (John 8:34)

2. 2. Many people think that serving God is a loss of freedom. The truth is that “slavery” to God is freedom from the power of sin (Romans 6:17-18)

• “Paul a servant (slave) of Jesus Christ” (Servant=slave=”Doulos” gk.

II.  THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR FREEDOM

1. Slavery to sin leads to shame (Rom.6:20-21)
2. Slavery to sin leads to eternal death.
   • “These things result in death” (V.21.b)
   • “For the wages of sin is death” (V.23)
   • Eternal death = eternal separation from God in hell that begins after death.
3. Slavery to God leads to Holiness (Rom.6:22)

• Holiness is wholeness both state of holiness and the process of sanctification (Increasingly God-centred and world renouncing)

4. Slavery to God leads to eternal life (Rom.6:22)

• And the result of eternal life (V.22)
• But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (v.23)
• Eternal Death is a “wage” earned, eternal life is “gift” received.
• Slavery is therefore freedom. Whose slave are you?

III.  A LESSON FROM ZEDEKIAH THE KING OF JUDAH (Jer.34:8-21)

• A proclamation of liberty to all slaves (Deut.15:12-18)
• Slaves are to be released in the last year of the seven-year cycle.
• Zedekiah’s covenant with the people shows his ambivalence between listening to God or his own political advisors.
• In the case of Zedekiah and Judah, sin led to shame, captivity and lack of freedom.
• When we become slaves of sin, God releases us into the hands of our enemies, the losses are very heavy (Jer.34:17-21)

CONCLUSION:

• Whose slave are you? Sin or Jesus Christ?
• As for me, I would rather have Jesus- Amen.
• Remember, slavery is freedom!