ARE YOU SPIRITUALLY EMANCIPATED OR INDEPENDENT?
Our country celebrated Emancipation Day last week and we celebrated Independence Day this week. This is a wonderful time for our country since these two days signify the fact that we were delivered from slavery and that we grew up enough to rule ourselves. Yet how do we evaluate our spiritual status in terms of being emancipated from the shackles that bind us to sin and keep us from being independent of fleshly lusts.
On August 1, 1834, our fore-parents were freed from the shackles of slavery by Parliamentary Legislation made in 1833. This is what we celebrate today, our freedom from the whips and lashes of the slave- masters.
August 6, 1962 was the date on which our country became independent from the governance of the British Government. The reins of governance were now placed in the hands of the people of Jamaica.
This is where the author will end the placing of dates in this article. Only the reader can say when and if you have been spiritually emancipated or made independent from the shackles of sin. Like our slave masters, Satan is able to bind us with religious, economic and immoral shackles for his own gain and benefit.
From the beginning of time, he has had a vested interest in amassing an army for himself to fight against the sovereignty of God. If allowed, he will keep you in a state of slavery to himself. How does he do this? He imitates God. God tells us that if we obey Him and keep His commandments, blessings will overtake us. Knowing this fact, Satan says to his followers, “I will give you immediately, whatever you need and whatever your heart desires, if you serve and follow me, keeping God’s commandments are not necessary.” It usually happens subtly. You are not required to live a holy or clean life; you are not required to follow any moral laws or standards. You can do whatever you want to do, whenever you want to do it and still receive all that your heart desires right now. The sad part is that you may be so content and satisfied in your situation that you will not even realize that you are bound to such a master.
Our fore parents were discontent with the conditions of their
servitude. They sought to be free from this status. Then the country
sought to be independent and govern itself. The fact is we cannot
really free ourselves from the shackles of the devil. We need the help
of God, His Son and the Holy Spirit to see us through. However, it is
possible! Seek the freedom that can be found in following Christ Jesus.
The invitation He extends to us is:
Mat 11:28 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Mat 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
Mat 11:30 “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”