More Slavery

05.25.13

Romans 6.22 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. (ESV)

Paul said: We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. (Romans 6.6 ESV) Our old self was dealt the death blow in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ because the only way to break its grip in our lives was: kill it. But just being set free from sin isn’t enough – to be freed from one slavery usually leads to more slavery. So now we are set free from slavery to sin so that we may be slaves of God. And that’s a good deal.

What captivates us? What are our little addictions? Solomon was blessed beyond description and beyond compare – but his little addiction got him into trouble: Solomon was addicted to lust and only felt like he was a man when he was with a woman. And so to prove it, he had 1000 women in his life. That’s 2.7397 women a night throughout the year…just sayin’…

Sometimes, our little addictions are harmless or have that appearance. Sometimes our little addictions are at first, somewhat manageable. But as long as addictions remain addictions they, in reality, remain in control. That’s why Paul’s usage of the word slave (or slavery) is so important: he calls it for what it really is: abhorrent to our preferences. But little addictions are more subtle and insidious than abhorrent: they creep in and give us little pleasures and keep us looking for a little more and a little more.

To be sure, we humans are incredibly complex creatures, but we aren’t that hard to control. It’s the little things in life usually that lead us around by the nose. And it’s the repeated exposure to the little things that after a while, mounts up to big things – with big chains and big locks – that keep us under control and away from what is good, better, or the best for us.

So, what is the best solution from slavery to little addictions? According to Paul the Apostle: more slavery; but slavery of a different kind and under a different King: we’re to become the slaves of God. (Slave or servant is just semantics.)

Slavery isn’t such a bad gig… if we’re enslaved to the right person (or purpose). To be so heavenly-minded that we’re of little earthly good isn’t the worst thing, because it keeps us away from nasty little subtle and insidious addictions.

Now then, the worst prayer we can pray is: God, make me more Your slave. If we believe, we’re already His slaves. A better prayer to pray would be: God, help me remember who I am according to Your word and according to Your grace: I am Your slave. And slaves are not free to live as they please – they are only free to serve their master. And You are my master.

Father, help me remember who I am according to Your word and according to Your grace: I am Your slave, and I am not free to live as I please – I am only free to serve my master and You are my Master. May Your grace, purpose, and presence have their way in me today – Amen.