We read in 2 Peter 2:19, “for we are slaves of anything that has conquered us.” (GNB)
The above mentioned verse endorses the truth that a person becomes a slave to something, when they are overpowered by it. For instance, a person who is addicted to alcohol, may realize that the habit affects his family, and might even take great efforts to quit the addiction, but is so often unable to do so because the habit has subdued him.
We read in Titus 2:3, “In the same way instruct the older women to behave as women should who live a holy life. They must not be slanderers or slaves to wine…” (GNT)
In this verse the admonition is for those who are slaves to wine, and strangely in this context this is directed towards women. Surprising as it may sound, women being addicted to alcohol is not something that is new only to our day and age, but was a problem of the early church days as well. The addiction to wine is applicable therefore, to both men and women, but the point is that when a person is overcome by the addiction, they are unable to break away from the habit.
In Titus 3:3, we read, “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, and wrong. We were slaves to passions and pleasures of all kinds. We spent our lives in malice and envy; others hated us and we hated them.” (GNT)
Here Paul refers to various other things that people can be in bondage to like, passions (lusts), pleasures, malice, envy and hatred. Speaking of lust and pleasure, there are so many, even so-called believers who are enslaved by the addiction to pornographic material which is readily available on the internet.
Hebrews 2:15 says, “and in this way set free those who were slaves all their lives because of their fear of death.” (GNT)
Then there are those as mentioned in the above verse who live in constant fear of death. We must remind ourselves from the word of God that those who die in the Lord, will live forever with God in His holy presence. This fear grips those who have not understood that death is just the passing on from our earthly life onto a heavenly one.
Have you noticed how when someone is addicted to a habit, people start referring to them by that name, for instance a person who becomes addicted to alcohol is referred to as an alcoholic, a promiscuous person as an adulterer, and a person who is in constant fear as a fearful person.
We read in Romans 6:16, “Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey...” (ISV)
This kind of bondage as mentioned in Romans 6:16, are of those who of their own accord become enslaved to something. These are those who chose to voluntarily be enslaved by certain habits.
In Galatians 4:3, we read, “while we were children, we were slaves to the basic principles of the world.” (ISV) Describes those who are in bondage to the basic principles of the world.
In Galatians 4:8, Paul mentions, “However, in the past, when you did not know God, you were slaves to things that are not really gods at all.” (ISV) Characterizes those who served and sought after things which were by nature not gods at all.
In I Corinthians 7:23, we read, “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.” (KJV)
Paul exhorts the church at Corinth, that they should not be slaves to men. When someone becomes a slave of men, they will not be able to think and operate on their own, but will be controlled by the person to whom they have been enslaved.
So being in bondage can be of two kinds; one where the person is overcome by the habit and the other where one willingly chooses to get enslaved to any sinful habit. Both of these need deliverance, and we will study the word to see how one can be set totally free from every form of enslavement.
How can a person be set free from bondage?
Accept that you are in bondage
In John 8:32 -33, we read “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. We are the descendants of Abraham,” they answered, “and we have never been anybody's slaves. What do you mean, then, by saying, 'You will be free'?" (GNB)
When Jesus told the Jews that they will know the truth, and the truth will set them free they took offence at His saying. They retorted that they were children of Abraham, and were therefore slaves to nobody. They forgot their history that they were in bondage to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for more than four hundred years. Interestingly as they dialogued with Jesus, at that very point they were under the Roman rule and in bondage to them.
Many people are not even aware that they are in bondage, and are unwilling to accept this fact. The first step is therefore a vital one where one takes stock of their lives, and consider all those areas that they are in bondage to, where they need liberation.
Know the truth and the truth will set you free
We read in John 8:34, Jesus said to them, "I am telling you the truth: everyone who sins is a slave of sin. (GNB)
Jesus told them plainly that whoever sins, becomes a slave to sin. As the Jews talked about their physical realm, and were categorical that they were slaves to no one, Jesus reiterated that their souls were in enslavement to sin.
It is only when one comes to comprehend who Jesus truly is and of all that He has done for us, will be able to break free from every form of bondage.
The woman caught in adultery
We read in John 8:2, “Early the next morning he went back to the Temple. All the people gathered around him, and he sat down and began to teach them.”
In John 8:59, “Then they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and left the temple.” (GNB)
Jesus was at the temple early in the morning, and was teaching people who had gathered there. Jesus referred to the temple as His Father’s house, and as He taught the people who had gathered there it was unfortunate that many were unable to accept His teachings. At the end of the passage we find that the people who had heard all of His teachings, actually picked up stones to throw at Jesus.
Even today one of the main purposes of the church meeting together is that the word of God be taught to the people. My premise is that even today if Jesus were to come into the church, many will pick up stones to throw at Him, because His teaching will be in total contradiction to their life style. We may be in church, and listen to the word of God, but we are to be greatly pitied if after having heard all of it, we still have in our hand stones that are aimed at Jesus, hindering Him from coming to rule in our hearts and our homes.
Where did these stones come from?
We read in John 8:4-5 "Teacher," they said to Jesus, "this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. In our Law Moses commanded that such a woman must be stoned to death. Now, what do you say?” (GNB)
As Jesus taught early in the morning at the temple that day, there was a sudden commotion when a group of men brought to Jesus a woman who was caught in the act of adultery, and all of them carried stones in their hands. There were two groups who had assembled at the temple that day; one who eagerly wanted to hear the teaching of Jesus, and the other who came in just to condemn the woman, and have her stoned. The man who was guilty was let off, though the law demanded that they both be brought to justice.
Many people are hesitant to come to church because they are looked down upon by those inside the church. We must remind ourselves that the church is for such sinners who need transformation, and none of us have a right to judge or condemn anyone. Jesus came into the world to save those struggling with sin, and to bring about radical transformation in their lives. All man’s righteousness is like filthy rags, and we should never expect justice from unrighteous men. For those who are hurt because of accusations that were made against them, the Lord encourages them to run this race looking only unto Jesus.
Man is undependable, and the same person who speaks well of us, will put us down some time later. If we were to take heed to all that is being said about us, we would probably never move forward in life. Reminds me of a story of a competition that was held for frogs. The contest was to see who could climb the fastest and reach the top of a very tall pole. Lots of frogs got interested to take part in this event, but most of them couldn’t even get up half way, and were constantly falling down. However, there was one frog that was unperturbed, and reached the top in no time. They later discovered that the reason that frog accomplished this feat, when all other frogs were unable to do so, was that it was totally deaf. If we are to progress in life, we must move on in this race that God has set before us, comprehending God’s purposes for us, and not allow the words or opinions of others to hinder our progress.
The men who brought that woman to Jesus, had already decided on the judgement, when they brought stones in their hands. They were however, in for a shock when they heard Jesus’ response to their accusations.
We read in John 8:7, As they stood there asking him questions, he straightened himself up and said to them, “Whichever one of you has committed no sin, may throw the first stone at her.”(GNB)
In John 8:10 we read, He straightened himself up and said to her, “Where are they? Is there no one left to condemn you?” (GNB)
We see the wisdom of Jesus being demonstrated so beautifully in this incident. He never told them not to throw a stone at her, but challenged them that the one who has committed no sin should be the first to throw a stone at her. Jesus knew all about the men who gathered against that woman that day, and He perceived all of their thoughts. When Jesus looked up, there was no one left of the crowd who could stand there to throw a stone at her. They came thinking that they would trap Jesus, but did not expect the turn of events as Jesus turned it against them. As the crowd left the temple that day, they dropped all the stones and walked away in haste.
Unfortunately the stones that they dropped were the ones that those who heard the teachings of Jesus, and could not accept it, picked up, and wanted to stone Him with. They tried their best to obstruct Jesus, but God the Father fulfilled the plan and purpose for which Jesus came down to this earth, and no man could thwart His plans.
The next time we take a stone to throw at someone else in accusation or condemnation, it is good for us to stop, and take a check on our own lives. None of us are worthy to judge another, for that right belongs to God alone. The Lord also cautions us to not judge anything before its time. Whenever we think of aiming a stone at someone, we must remember that the Lord can, and will twist things around. The Lord is there to protect those who belong to Him, and nothing that is aimed at God’s children will prosper.
Without Jesus no man can understand his real condition
In John 8:12, Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again, “I am the light of the world,” he said. “Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness.” (GNB)
Without the light of Jesus shining in our hearts, no one can comprehend their true condition. It is only when Jesus comes into our lives can we realize all our areas of weakness, and the kind of bondages that we are enslaved to. Apart from Jesus, man can never grasp the helpless state that he is truly in. It is only when we turn to Jesus, allowing His light to penetrate into our lives, will He help us discover our weaknesses, and receive His strength to set them right.
For instance, for some the problem is telling lies. They have made lying such a habit that everything that comes out of their mouth is false. Some people justify their lying is harmless as it does not affect any one, but what they fail to understand is that lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, and that the Lord detests falsehood. When Jesus comes into such a person, He will convince them that lying is a sin, because He is truth and He expects truth in our inmost being.
Without Jesus no man can be freed from slavery to sin
We also read in John 8:34-36, Jesus said to them, "I am telling you the truth: everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave does not belong to a family permanently, but a son belongs there forever. If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free. (GNB)
Jesus is categorical that anyone who sins is a slave to sin. The only one who is able to deliver us is Jesus, and that is why He said, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life’. The reason Jesus is the exclusive way, is because He alone was the sinless son of man, who can lift us up from the mire of sin, and liberate us. Many are standing today on their own self-righteousness, and failing to recognize the fact that when we stand before God, all our righteousness are like filthy rags because the Lord knows all about us, and there is no one who is righteous in His sight. True freedom comes only from Jesus, and it is a possibility for one to live a life of freedom from every bondage.
Jesus is God in flesh who came to save man from sin
We read in John 8:58 "I am telling you the truth," Jesus replied. "Before Abraham was born, 'I Am'." (GNB)
It is paramount that we understand who Jesus is, for only then we can revere Him as we should.
In John 8:58 Jesus said, before Abraham was born, ‘I Am’ indicating that He is not a man, but God who was from the very beginning. When Jesus used the phrase ‘I Am’ the Jews were annoyed because they knew from the scriptures as to who this referred to, and were upset that Jesus made Himself equal to God.
We read in Exodus 3:14, And God said to Moses, "I am that I am." And he said, "So you must say to the Israelites, 'I am sent me to you.'" (LEB)
When God met Moses at the burning bush, and instructed him to go to Egypt to deliver the Israelites, Moses was hesitant and he asked God, ‘Whom should I say sent me?’ And God replied and said to him, tell them “I am that I am” is the one who sent you. When Jesus used the same introduction for Himself, He was being emphatic to explain that He was there even before Abraham was.
It is of utmost importance to fathom who Jesus really is. He is the Son of God who has no beginning or end, who took upon Himself form of flesh, and came down as a man to lead a sinless life. Without shedding of blood there is no remission of sins, and that is why Jesus took on human form, to be that sinless lamb, who would die on the cross as a propitiation for all of our sins. Only those who believe that Jesus died for their sins, and accept the finished work of Jesus on the cross, can be delivered from all their sins and bondages.
It was this Jesus that the people at the temple who heard His teachings, decided to stone that day. We may justify ourselves that we will never stone Jesus, but every time we follow those human traditions, go after pagan worship, and practices that are displeasing to Him, we are in a way guilty of picking up stones to throw at Jesus. Let us examine ourselves, and cast aside everything that the Lord does not approve of in our lives. God desires for us to lead a life of freedom from every sinful bondage. May our bodies be the temple of the Holy Spirit, allowing the Lord to fulfill all of His plans, and His perfect will in our lives.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
