Debt of Love

There is much discussion in the scriptures about freedom and slavery. In the Jewish history, there have been many times and cycles of the nation of Israel becoming enslaved and then being set free. In Jewish law, there are many regulations about treatment and behavior of individuals who become slaves through force of circumstances.

John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be absolutely free.

In our spiritual walk as Christians, we come out of the slavery of the lies of the enemy of God through the working of the truth of God's word. The light of the Word shines into our lives, revealing the deception and trickery that had caused us to restrict ourselves from the full growth and potential and freedom that is ours as God's creation.

The duplicity and treachery of the enemy is targeted at making us believe that we are most free when we are the most self-centered. The true freedom in Christ comes when we are Christ-centered. It is when Christ is at the center of our existence that we can walk in light and life, strength and power, wisdom and understanding, avoiding the snares and traps that we always fall into whenever we try to control our own destiny.

Galatians 5:1 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.

But the discussion gets a little confusing, in English, when it moves into the idea of being set free to be a slave, or to be free to take on the yoke of Christ, or to chose between two masters. There is a great liberating truth in understanding how we can become free in service, and how working in obedience as servants of God we can come to move in the freedom of His children, His mature, grown sons and and daughters.

1 Peter 2:16 Live as free people, but don't hide behind your freedom when you do evil. Instead, use your freedom to serve God.

An illustration that graphically describes the balance of how we are created and designed to work in God's kingdom and walk in obedience to the Spirit is in looking at the sail of a ship. The sail can be raised or lowered at the choice of those on the ship. If it is raised, then by its design and creation, the sail works with the wind as it blows to move out on the ship's journey. The sail is not in slavery to the wind, but it is designed to work with it. Without the wind, the sail is not effective, just as we can do nothing without the power of the Spirit in our lives. But together, working with God, with the breath of life from the Spirit, the freedom of Christ liberating us from the wharf, the truth of the Word giving us guidance as a rudder and a compass, the work of the kingdom is accomplished.

1 Corinthians 9:19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.

Father, You are our Guide across the trackless oceans in our lives. You set the stars and the lights in the sky for our guidance and Your glory, as You give us the truths and wisdom of the Word as well as the encouragement and support of Your body of believers. Your Spirit breathes life into us as You speak Your directions and we hold the rudder true to the course You give us. Though it looks to the world like slavery, we give our selves to the freedom of Your salvation and we willingly labor in Your work, knowing the rewards that await us if we persist and endure through the storms and the calms that beset us. You are always with us, Lord. Thank You!

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