No Longer Slaves But Set Free!
[et_pb_section bb_built="1"][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.11"]Are you really free from the kingdom of darkness?In Luke 4:18, we read that Jesus came to set the captives free. Free from the dominion of darkness and out from under Satan's rule and slavery. We know that He accomplished this, for on the cross He said "It Is Finished."Why was it necessary to be set free from slavery in the first place? After sin came into the world, spiritual death came upon us - bringing us deeper and deeper into slavery and total depravity. Adam and Eve transferred from the dominion of the Kingdom of God into the dominion of the kingdom of darkness.To be set free once and for all, Jesus had to legally and rightfully buy us back with His own blood. He qualified to do this because He lived a sin free life on earth (1 Peter 1:18).Romans 7:14, says that at one time sinners were sold under sin. The word sold is (piprasko) meaning a transfer of property. Because of sin, slavery was our condition before the grace of God was poured upon us through Jesus.The word (redeemed) in the New Testament has different meanings. Agoridzo is a technical term to describe the market place - the slave market.Romans 6:17-18 says that we were servants of sin. Servants (douloo) is a slave, one whose will is completely swallowed up in the will of another, in this case the devourer is Satan.Colossians 1:21 says that the gulf between man and God became so deep that we became alienated from God and became His enemies.Ephesians 2:2 - Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.According to (Kata) means forceful or controlled by.Course of this world: Course (aiona) denotes not only a specific allotted period of time, but also the spirit of that time frame. (I.e. the 1920's was known as the "roaring 20's", 1960-1970's was known as "time of free love, hippies and drugs.") World - (kosmos) - is order, arrangement or society.The devil has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the truth. Before becoming Christians, we were controlled by the devil and forced to partake in whatever spirit of the time frame he decided. And as we well know, Satan is opposed to the things of God, so he manipulates and deceives the world to do things his way.Two more New Testament Greek meanings for redeem: 1. (Lutoo) - meaning to set a captive free by payment of a ransom. A ransom is a price that has been specifically agreed upon to redeem a prisoner or slave and to restore them to liberty and given back to its rightful owner. 2. (Apolutrosis) - ransom in full. Jesus agreed to be mankind's ransom before creation.Hebrews 9:11-12 But Christ being come a high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.Ephesians 2:4-6 - We were made alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions (that's His unconditional love for us - that's when He died for us). And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms.It's time for all Christians to understand that they have been redeemed; they have been set free by the blood of Jesus from slavery. We do not have to be under the influences of Satan and darkness, but we have come into the Kingdom of Light and Truth. We need to understand this and live in the authority and inheritance we have been given through our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is so good to be truly FREE in Jesus![/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]