Who's Your Master?

When people think about slavery, a variety of thoughts and feelings are invoked.  In the United States, the fight over slavery is one that affected the whole nation.  Quoting history.com, "In 1865, the U.S. House of Representatives passes the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery in America. The amendment read, "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude...shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." It is not uncommon to meet people to this day whose ancestors were either slaves or slave owners.  Some people are shocked that slavery still exists in many forms in the world today.  The truth is, slavery is as prevalent, oppressive, and destructive as it has ever been in the world's history.

Consider these excerpts from Webster's Dictionary (1828 edition) concerning the the noun "slave:"  1) A person who is wholly subject to the will of another; one who has no will of his own, but whose person and services are wholly under the control of another; 2) One who has lost the power of resistance; or one who surrenders himself to any power whatever; as a slave to passion, to lust, to ambition."  We often think of slavery as when a person is either sold, acquired, or forced to work against their will for nothing to show for it but their life.  Slaves are not paid and are denied rights and freedoms others enjoy.  There is a slavery more sinister than being sold like an ox at an auction and working for a cruel master:  the slavery of sin.  Satan and sin are cruel masters which lead to eternal death.

In our natural state every man is sinful, "sold under sin."  Even as wicked Haman had condemned the Jews to die, so sin has doomed every person who draws breath.  All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  We are either slaves of God or Satan.  You might say, "Wait a second!  I don't even believe in Satan!  How can I be serving him?"  "Warlock" Jack Malebranche, a member of the Church of Satan in an interview shown during "Way of the Master" episode 19 explained, "On a certain level, Satan is a part of ourselves that we tap into. When we say, "Hail Satan!" to a certain extent, I'm saying, "Hail me!"  Jesus says in John 8:34, "...Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin."  If you have sinned, than you are therefore a slave to sin.  If I live for myself, I sow to the flesh and will of the flesh reap corruption.  The wages of sin is death, eternal separation from God in the torments of hell.

But God in His mercy, made a way for slaves to be set free - even under the Old Covenant!  In Leviticus 25, we read how a kinsman could redeem a slave from slavery.  Leviticus 25:48-49 reads, "...After he is sold he may be redeemed again. One of his brothers may redeem him; ⁴⁹ or his uncle or his uncle's son may redeem him; or anyone who is near of kin to him in his family may redeem him; or if he is able he may redeem himself."  No one is able to redeem himself from the power of sin and death.  In His love, the Father sent the Son as a Redeemer, not only for His Jewish countrymen, but to be the sacrifice for sin for all who believe throughout the world!  John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."  Jesus instituted the New Covenant in His blood so all who repent, place their faith in Him, and become His disciples shall be given eternal life through Him.

Everyone in this world is a slave.  We may not have been bought or sold with money, but we are either slaves of sin or righteousness.  Romans 6:16 states, "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?"  Who is your master?  This question cannot be answered with words:  only your thoughts, actions, and life will provide an adequate answer.  Jesus says in Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."  Today is the day of decision.  Choose to serve God, for He is a worthy LORD and Master who rules with love.