Self-Imposed Slavery

Self-Imposed Slavery

  • Evidence
    • Self-imposed slavery to
      • No objective truth, so everything is relative.
      • “It doesn’t matter what you believe, just that you believe,” so contradictions are normal.
      • “Tossed to and fro on every wind of doctrine…”
      • Enslaved by shifting standards that never allow success, only delusion.
    • Emancipation
      • “Of first importance…” (1 Corinthians 15:1- 7)
      • Predictions accomplished, eye-witnesses, historical accuracy
      • Accurate transmission of the text
      • Romans 10:9 – Understanding the resurrection as evidence is essential to being acceptable to God.
      • Objective truth is real. “The truth shall set you free.” (John 8:32 – 36)
  • Life
    • Self-imposed slavery to
      • Fear of the unknown
      • Fear of Judgment
      • Hate life but fear death
    • Emancipation
      • Hebrews 2:14 – 15 God came to earth, died physically, yet persists.  So, death is no longer the unknown.
      • Philippians 1:21 We have a secure knowledge that the other side of physical death is far superior to physical life.
      • As one of the symbolisms of the unleavened bread of the Lord’s Supper, the bread is unleavened because of our haste in this journey to the Promised Rest. (Hebrews 4:1 – 11)
  • Choices
    • Self-imposed slavery
      • “The Sovereignty of God” doctrine denies that we make real choices; every detail has been pre-planned by God. Therefore, people claim, “Everything happens for a reason,” meaning that God orchestrated it.  Unfortunately, this eliminates free will and makes God the author of sin.
      • Many people feel trapped, that they have no options left for a satisfying life. So, they become depressed, angry, and/or hopeless.
      • Many people feel unable to overcome themselves.
      • Many people feel powerless, that they cannot accomplish anything worthwhile.
    • Emancipation
      • Romans 8:13 Overcoming is only through the Spirit
      • Jesus’ atoning sacrifice redeemed us from the right-and-wrong system.
      • God’s gracious nature includes forgiveness, pushing aside past mistakes so that trust and concern can be re-established. So, we are not cut off by our past bad choices.
      • Economic and political freedom are pale comparisons for the success one may have in the Kingdom, rescuing people from hopeless, fruitless, pointless lives. This success is independent of both economic and political achievement.  We are truly free even in the most oppressive environments.
  • Liberty
    • Self-imposed slavery
      • The world operates on authority, so liberty is always abridged in some way, to a greater or lesser degree depending on the circumstances.
      • Authority always increases; liberty always decreases over time.
      • Those who would pervert liberty cause its limitation.
    • Emancipation
      • 2 Corinthians 3:17 Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  Therefore, I make my own choices in the Kingdom (and I am responsible for the outcome).
      • Romans 6:18 – 22, 8:2 Through the redemption performed by Jesus, we are not trapped by our past bad choices, but free to make good choices.
      • Galatians 5:1 Our liberty must be protected from religious rules.
      • James 1:25, 2:12 We will be judged by our use of this liberty, so keep an eye on it.
  • Family
    • Self-imposed slavery
      • Our circle of trust shrinks with age.
      • Disappointment defines our relationships
      • Loneliness is inevitable
    • Emancipation
      • 1 John 3:10 – 17 We have a world-wide family composed of those who would die for us.
      • Hebrews 12:22 – 24 We have a family composed of deceased faithful, living faithful, and angels.  We are never alone.
      • 1 Thessalonians 2:4 – 12 We have a family.  God’s character illustrates how godly fathers (in both a physical and a spiritual sense) should related to their children.  Godly people illustrate to outsiders the nature of God through their family relationships, both physical and spiritual.