WEEK 26 – DAY 1

June 28, 2021

I AM SET FREE

I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:19-23

We are all slaves. I know you may be saying, “I’ve never been a slave to anyone. I earn my own living and have the freedom to choose where I go, what I do, and who I do it with!” But do you really? According to God’s word in Romans we are either slaves to our sinful natures, or we can choose to be slaves to obedience to God. One choice leads to death, the other to eternal life and the righteousness of Christ. We speak of people being slaves to addictions or habits, being “co-dependent”, or a servant of a controlling parent or mate. Slavery has an extremely negative connotation because we usually think of it in the context of being under the thumb of an influence or person who does not desire what is best for us. However, a person can choose to be a slave of and obedient to the one Master who always cares for the needs of His servants. Being His servant is not a weighty, difficult job because He says to us, “Come to me all you are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light,” (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV). Are there burdens when following the Lord? Yes, but He helps us to carry them. Is there work involved in being His servant? Yes, but there is also rest and peace for weary workers.

Father, we choose to be Your slaves rather than slaves to sin. Help us to choose daily to be obedient to You. Thank You for carrying the burdens with us and for us. Thank You for the gift of eternal life that we could never earn or deserve.