Master? Master!
Now you are free from sin, your old master, and you have become slaves to your new master, righteousness. Romans 6:18
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The word slavery conjures up images of drudgery, menial tasks, and the forfeiture of self. It reminds us of people bent to the will of another, suffering abuse at the hands of those who have complete power over them. Why then would the apostle Paul describe both sin and righteousness in such terms? Paul knew what it was like to live in bondage to sin. Yet he had also watched as his new master tore off his chains. Sin offered to destroy his purpose. Yet Jesus reached out to him when Paul was blinded and humbled on the road to Damascus and set him on a different path—the path of life and freedom. Sin enticed Paul with pride and promises of power. Yet Jesus freed him from the confines of his self-made prison to embrace the destiny God intended for him from the beginning. Having served both masters, Paul had learned the secret and couldn’t wait to share it: When we bow at the feet of Jesus, he is the only master who truly sets us free!
Prayer:
JESUS, I kneel at your feet again today. I ask that you be the master of my heart, of my thoughts, of my ambitions, of my time, of my life. Thank you for being such a gracious, kind, and merciful God. It is in offering my life to you that I find abundant life. It is by serving you that I find true freedom!
Quotes:
FREEDOM DOES NOT MEAN I AM ABLE TO DO WHATEVER I WANT TO DO. THAT’S THE WORST KIND OF BONDAGE. FREEDOM MEANS I HAVE BEEN SET FREE TO BECOME ALL THAT GOD WANTS ME TO BE, TO ACHIEVE ALL THAT GOD WANTS ME TO ACHIEVE, TO ENJOY ALL THAT GOD WANTS ME TO ENJOY. —
Warren W. Wiersbe (b. 1929)
The One Year Bible Readings for today are: 2 Chronicles 1:1–3:17; Romans 6:1-23; Psalm 16:1-11 and Proverbs 19:20-21.
