Today’s Scripture: Romans 8:20-21
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Booker T. Washington, in his book, Up from Slavery, describes the scenes among the blacks on the night of the Proclamation of their freedom. “There was no sleep that night,” he says. “All was excitement and expectancy. Early in the morning we were all sent for. The Proclamation was read and we were told that we were free and could go when and where we pleased… there was great rejoicing, followed by wild scenes of ecstasy. “But,” he goes on to say, “The wild rejoicing did not last long. By the time the coloured people had returned to their cabins, there was a marked change in their feelings. The great responsibility of being free seemed to take possession of them. It was very much like suddenly turning a youth of ten or twelve out into the world to provide for himself. Within a few minutes the wild rejoicing ceased and a feeling of deep gloom seemed to pervade the slave quarters. Now that they were liberated, they found possession of freedom to be much more serious business than they anticipated.”
Freedom comes with responsibility. Nothing entangles a free man faster than sustaining the mindset and indulging the habits of slavery. We were slaves to the devil once; embroiled in sin, and indulging every whim and lust. But Christ saved us. We were transported from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. Now we must wear the behaviour and characteristics of children of the light; we must shoulder the responsibilities of freedom.
God has not set us free so we can live without moral restraints. He has set us free so we can, in our freedom, influence others; so we can bring others out of the oppression of hell and into the kingdom of God; so we can serve humanity with our gifts without any inhibitions. All of creation, our opening scripture spells out, is in the bondage of corruption, and their freedom is tied to how maturely we bear the responsibilities of our freedom. Why? Because we have been set free to set free. Yes, our freedom is a call to maturity. The question is: how have we responded? Are we conscious of our freedom, are we walking in it, and are we reaching out to others? Are we serving in love? This is the responsibility of freedom. Let us embrace it today, even as the Lord gives us the grace and wisdom to shoulder it. Let us, in love, serve one another, for it is for freedom He set us free; it us for service to humanity He set us free.
Memorise & Meditate:
“For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13
Prayer & Confession:
Thank You, Father, for setting me free. I pray for the grace to walk in righteousness and to serve others in love. Help me, Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
