On this day in 1913, the famous abolitionist Harriet Tubman died in Auburn, New York. Born in the spring of 1822, she was 90 or 91 years of age when she died. The above picture of her was taken in the late 1860’s. She was a courageous woman who, for eight years, returned to danger time and again to lead people to freedom via the Underground Railroad. Few people have coupled words with deeds like Harriet Tubman. Chains made by human hands can never enslave the spirit made by the hand of God.
That is the point the Apostle Paul makes in 1 Corinthians 7:21, He writes, “were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it.” To Paul, the real issue is our relationships with God. If we have God, then we are always free from men. Yet, we are always indentured to the Lord. Thus, he says in the next verse, “he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ's slave” (7:22). Finally, the Holy Spirit reminds us that we, “were bought at a price; [therefore] do not become slaves of men” (7:23).
Paul expands on this point in his letter to the church in Rome. Romans 6:16 asks the question, “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” That’s a great consideration for this Sabbath Day. Whom do we present ourselves as slaves to obey? The question isn’t whether or not your a servant, but rather whose servant are you? True Christians are being set free from sin, but we are always becoming slaves to God. For this reason the Apostle writes, “But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness” (Romans 6:17-18).
In John 8:34-36, Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
If the Son has made you free, then do not be a slave to anything in this world.
God before government,
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