I AM REDEEMED Have you ever considered what it was like to be a slave in America in the 18th and 19th centuries? From what perspective do you think of it? Are you an Anglo-European descendant whose family immigrated in the 20th century, so you feel little connection to the issue of slavery? Or are you an African-American who cannot trace their family tree more than a few generations thanks to being stripped of your heritage by the vestiges of slavery? Maybe you are a Heinz 57 American with more family tree branches than you can count since the first settlers came to this continent, some that may have even been slave owners or part of the Underground Railway? Whatever your perspective, whatever paradigms you function under, we can generally agree that the conditions and treatment of slaves was outside what we now consider humane treatment! The only way a slave could escape the bonds of servitude was by being purchased, redeemed, by some kind soul intent on giving them a letter of manumission, setting them free. Unfortunately, frequently bounty hunters would search for freed slaves, round them up and resell them down south back into worse conditions than they had escaped! When Satan was given free reign of the earth, after the war in heaven, he strove to enslave the human race in sin and its results. ...And Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. (Job 2:2b KJV). Though few examples of Satan placing bonds on individuals, Jesus did address this during His ministry: And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? (Luke 13:16 KJV). The interesting difference between the physical enslavement of Africans and our spiritual bondage, is that we place ourselves in situations where Satan is able to enslave and control us here on earth! Daily, we make choices, unlike the Africans, that enslave us to earthly possessions, bad habits, financial bondage and dependence on people we thought were friends, who often betray that trust! We are cautioned to be constantly aware of the temptations around us, so that we can as the Lords help to resist the enemy! Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1 KJV). Also, And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (Ephesians 6:9-10. KJV). My Jeanne
Posted on: Tue, 05 Nov 2013 14:38:52 +0000
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