Independence from slavery to sin.
The Epistle to the Romans is one of the most powerful books in all the Word of God. I truly believe if Christians studied and meditated on the principles in this book, revival fires would break out in the land! Some of the most profound truths ever revealed to man are found in Paul's epistle (or letter) to the Romans.
One such truth is: when JAH frees us from our slavery to sin, He empowers us to become slaves of righteousness. Consider the following from Romans 6:19-23, NKJV
"I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
That's a lot to take in. And it's not a bad idea to reread it. The inspired apostle uses the analogy of "slave and master" to illuminate a powerful and divine concept: God frees us from slavery to sin and empowers us to become slaves of righteousness.
According to the inspired word of JAH, prior to our new birth, we were slaves of uncleanness, slaves of lawlessness and slaves of sin. How can this be? Well, consider 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 KJV, "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid (veiled) to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (Also see Ephesians 2:1-2 and 2 Timothy 2:24-26).
The Word of God declares we are all born into this world trapped in the kingdom of darkness - blinded by the god of this world - slaves of sin - destined for destruction. The Bible says we presented (or offered) our members as slaves of sin, and produced shameful fruit. But praise God, when the light of the glorious gospel of Christ shined on our darkened soul, everything changed! We were translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. We experienced a change in management.
Office buildings will sometimes display a sign out front that reads: "Under New Management." Maybe the previous manager sold the business for a profit, or maybe they mismanaged the business and lost it. But whatever the reason, the new owners now want everyone to know that the business has a new leader, that it's now under new management.
If you could look into the heart and soul of a born-again child of God, you would see that same sign: "Under New Management." Born again children of JAH are no longer slaves of uncleanness and lawlessness and sin. According to the Holy Scriptures, as a child of the Kingdom of Light, I've been set free from sin, and I've become a slave of God! The title deed of my mind, body and soul has changed hands! I was under the cruel management of sin and satan, but now I'm under the blessed management of the Good Shepherd, the Most High God! (See John 10:10-11).
"But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life."
There it is, straight from the Word, Romans 6:22. We've been set free from sin! Instead of bearing shameful fruit, we're empowered to bear holy fruit, and in the end, everlasting life! That's worthy of a massive celebration, not just on the 4th of July, but every day for the rest of our life!
Americans celebrate the 4th of July because it marks our independence from British rule. I think it's a great holiday. And as citizens of the Kingdom, may the 4th serve as a reminder to also celebrate our independence from the kingdom of darkness and the rule of sin. All praises to the Most High! We're now free from sin and free to serve the True and Living God.
Will you join me in praying:
Dear LORD, as we take in the fireworks, the parades, the cookouts and all the festivities of Independence Day, let us also celebrate our independence from the prince of darkness. Your Spirit teaches us that we were once slaves of uncleanness, lawlessness and sin. But now, according to Your Word, we've been set free from sin and translated into Your Kingdom. We're now under new management. Saved by grace, empowered to serve. May we rejoice in knowing we're now children of the Kingdom of God and slaves of righteousness. Amen
Grace, Peace and Jahspeed!
To learn more about joining the Kingdom of JAH, check out the "Jesus is Lord" page and the "Romans Road" page.