Several years ago, I wrote an unpublished novel based the true story of the Osage Nation and the missionaries and government agents who worked with them on the American Frontier during the Civil War. A scene in the book recounts the tale of a runaway slave. When caught, the slave’s master sends the slave away to a distant farm as punishment. The slave is convinced he will never again see his home or his family. As he is carried off, he cries for mercy, cries out to his wife and children, and is sure that he will never again see his home or his loved ones, but there is no hope for him. There is no one to rescue him.

We’re discussing bondage to sin and freedom from sin this week on Christian Holiness Daily.

The master’s son takes mercy on the slave and purchases him. Upon the slave’s return, the son grants him his freedom and tells him that he has also purchased the freedom of his family.

We learned yesterday that – according to the words of Christ as recorded in John 8:34 – everyone who practices sin is a slave to it.

The Son, though, has purchased our freedom – the Son of God – paid for with His own blood, His own death, and sealed with His resurrection. He has paid the price to set us free from the bondage of sin.

The story is not a perfect analogy, but take a look at the next two verses in John 8, verses 35and 36 (ESV):

The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed

If we are living as slaves to sin, it is because we have not accepted the gift that the Son is offering us, freedom from sin.

If you’re faith in Christ is not sufficient to believe that you can be free of the bonds of sin, do you think it is really sufficient to believe you can be free from the bonds of death?

We believe, God. We believe in the gift Jesus has given us. We believe the Son of God died to pay the price for our sins, that we may be free from sin and death. Lord, help us to believe.

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Holiness is, perhaps, the most misunderstood concept in Christianity. Anyone who has striven to follow the life of Christ can likely tell you that it is impossible to do. No one can match His love, His grace, or His compassion. For no one but Jesus is perfect. Once the believer is filled with and empowered by the Holy Spirit, though, he or she is filled to the brim with the love of Christ, and desires nothing more than to please God and follow in Christ’s steps. The love of sin is gone. In its place is a love and passion for others. That is Christian Holiness. This is Christian Holiness Daily.