Broken Chains Still Worn by Believers
Scripture: Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject (entangled) again to a yoke of slavery.
Prior to Christ finding us, we were slaves to sin. We were devoted to sin. Sin was our master. If you are honest some sin was enjoyable, irresistible and you may even miss it. Even though some sin felt good the consequences of sin did not. The Bible tells us that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Nonetheless, many times we still engaged in the very behavior that might kill us spiritually, emotionally, and/or physically. Sometimes we engage in sinful behavior even when it no longer feels good because it controls us. The Bible tells us that Jesus came to save us from sin.
Do you remember when Christ found you in the midst of your sin? When Christ found you, sin was your master. Sin was your friend. Right there when you were serving another master, Jesus stepped in. Jesus met you where you were. Christ came into your life. He sought you out and loved you just as you were. Christ loved you even when you didn’t love yourself. Right in the midst of your sinful life Christ became that brick wall that stopped you in your tracks. He wooed you, and He never gave up; even when you ran from Him. For many of us, Christ found us in the gutter, dirty and reeking of sin, but He picked us up anyway. Christ didn’t wait for us to get it together, He got us together. After we confessed with our mouth and believed in our heart that God raised Christ from the dead we were saved. Immediately, Christ started breaking chains. The Bible tells us that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). When we accepted Christ, we were instantly changed!
Although Believers have been changed, many times, we continue to wear the chains of bondage. Even though Christ has come into our lives and told us that old things are passed away, we continue to hold onto some of those old thoughts, old behaviors, old broken chains. However, Christ has assured us that we are no longer the person we were. Christ has broken every chain and tells us if we continue to wear the chains of sins it is not because He didn’t free us it’s because we are choosing to be enslaved. The Bible tells us that it was for freedom that Christ set us free and because of that we should stand firm and no longer be entangled with the chains of bondage.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for freeing us from sin. Thank You for breaking the chains of sin. Forgive us for putting the chains of bondage back on after You have removed them. Thank You for assuring us that we are no longer in bondage. Thank You for reminding us that although temptation will come that we can resist it. Thank You for Your faithfulness in our lives. Thank You for Your Word that guides us so we can represent You well. Thank You, Lord for being obedient even unto death, so we could live. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.
(by Patricia Towns)
Prior to Christ finding us, we were slaves to sin. We were devoted to sin. Sin was our master. If you are honest some sin was enjoyable, irresistible and you may even miss it. Even though some sin felt good the consequences of sin did not. The Bible tells us that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Nonetheless, many times we still engaged in the very behavior that might kill us spiritually, emotionally, and/or physically. Sometimes we engage in sinful behavior even when it no longer feels good because it controls us. The Bible tells us that Jesus came to save us from sin.
Do you remember when Christ found you in the midst of your sin? When Christ found you, sin was your master. Sin was your friend. Right there when you were serving another master, Jesus stepped in. Jesus met you where you were. Christ came into your life. He sought you out and loved you just as you were. Christ loved you even when you didn’t love yourself. Right in the midst of your sinful life Christ became that brick wall that stopped you in your tracks. He wooed you, and He never gave up; even when you ran from Him. For many of us, Christ found us in the gutter, dirty and reeking of sin, but He picked us up anyway. Christ didn’t wait for us to get it together, He got us together. After we confessed with our mouth and believed in our heart that God raised Christ from the dead we were saved. Immediately, Christ started breaking chains. The Bible tells us that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). When we accepted Christ, we were instantly changed!
Although Believers have been changed, many times, we continue to wear the chains of bondage. Even though Christ has come into our lives and told us that old things are passed away, we continue to hold onto some of those old thoughts, old behaviors, old broken chains. However, Christ has assured us that we are no longer the person we were. Christ has broken every chain and tells us if we continue to wear the chains of sins it is not because He didn’t free us it’s because we are choosing to be enslaved. The Bible tells us that it was for freedom that Christ set us free and because of that we should stand firm and no longer be entangled with the chains of bondage.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for freeing us from sin. Thank You for breaking the chains of sin. Forgive us for putting the chains of bondage back on after You have removed them. Thank You for assuring us that we are no longer in bondage. Thank You for reminding us that although temptation will come that we can resist it. Thank You for Your faithfulness in our lives. Thank You for Your Word that guides us so we can represent You well. Thank You, Lord for being obedient even unto death, so we could live. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.
(by Patricia Towns)
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9 Comments
Amen sister Towns.
Powerful message. Lord help me not forget that I am free from the bondage of slavery. Amen
Amen Sister!Thank God He came in to my life,for assuring me I am no longer in bondage.
Thank you Sis. Pat for the reminder and encouragement that I’m no longer in bondage, but I’m a free man and have freedom in Christ not to sin. That it does not have dominion over. Now I need to walk in the freedom that Christ purchased with His own precious blood. Thank you Jesus! Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Submit to God and resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Amen Bro. Bryant! I am with you. I need the reminder!
Yes! My favorite is 2 Corinthians 5:17. Early in my walk, I reminded the Lord, He said this to me in my prayers. Initially, I didn't think certain things would change. Thank You Lord! Amen Pat! Great reminder
Amen Zac!! Gal 5:1 is my reminder because I often find myself reaching for those old chains.
God told me this this morning:
Charlie, stop causing people pain because you’re in pain and instead show your pain to everyone. Put your hurt on display. I want people to see I’m hurting but that doesn’t mean I need to hurt them to do that. Show them your tears.
I’m hurt. I was an abused kid and raped at the age of 4. My pain has manifested itself in bank robbery, drugs, petty theft and cruelty toward others, i want people to see the hurt I carry and I’ve hurt people as a consequence, I can’t hide my pain behind ego, arrogance and by lashing out at the world around me. I’m in so much pain. Thank you for taking the time to read this. I want you to know I hurt so much. And I’m so sorry for the pain I have caused others.
Charlie, I am just seeing this post and your response to it 2 months exactly from the time you posted it. I’m here to tell you that with truth comes healing. You have owned your truth, you were abused, taken advantage of, and not cared for. That hurt lead you to continue to hurt yourself through actions that also caused hurt to others. There is power in the name of Jesus to break every chain! I pray that you find that love and comfort in Jesus, that he helps restore you, heal those wounds, and break you from the chains of pain, guilt, and any other aspect or area holding you back. Much love.