“Christians” in Bondage
“Then Jesus said to those…who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’”
– John 8:31-32
“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage…”
— Romans 8:15a
I often encounter many people who consider themselves “Christians” simply because they “are good people, try to do the right thing, are kind to others, help others, don’t commit any ‘big’ sins, etc.” Many have been raised their entire lives in the church, attend often and even serve.
However, these same “Christians” are continuously cycling through situations of emotional, physical or situational bondage. Afflicted with fear, anxiety, worry, sorrow, depression, guilt, shame, condemnation, anger, bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness, chronic physical & mental illnesses, co-dependency, financial hardships, emptiness, self-destructive, etc. And these are “Christians.” They believe in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. They believe in the death, burial & resurrection of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.
And yet, they are still “slaves” to the curse of the law and sin.
One of the many fruits or evidence a “Christian” should bear, is freedom. If a “Christian” lacks freedom (spiritual, emotional, physical, mental…even situational), a moment of prayerful reflection is imperative. God does not wish for us to walk out our lives in a continuous state of difficulties and hardships. There may be many difficult moments, or “opportunities for character growth”, but if certain hardships repeatedly occur within one’s life, that should alert them to the possibility they are not walking in the fullness of Christ and what it truly means to be a child of God, under the authority, guidance and protection of Jesus Christ. That is an “identity” issue.
One must ask them self, “Do I know of God (because I read or was told about Him)?” Or, “Do I interact with God on a daily basis as you would a close family member or friend?” There are many professing Christians who consider themselves to be in God’s Kingdom because they “are nice, try to be a good person, go to church (even serve) and believe in God.” These same “Christians” live in a constant state of affliction. These same Christians must consider what Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven…Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me…!’”
These same “Christians” are missing out on freedom today. Freedom from depression, anxiety, fear, anger, bitterness, emptiness, chronic illness, etc. God can exchange fear and anxiety for “power, love and a sound mind.” God can provide relief and/or deliverance from physical and mental illnesses in exchange for comfort and restoration. God can exchange sorrow and depression for joy and “peace that surpasses all understanding.” God can exchange shame and condemnation for forgiveness and acceptance. God can exchange anger, bitterness and resentment for love, patience and contentment. Christ came not only to redeem us from our sins, but also to set us free.
Depending on one’s “Christian” upbringing (or lack thereof), many “Christians” are confused when they hear they are expected to have an ongoing personal relationship with God. They were taught that God doesn’t respond to us directly, that was only for the Old Testament guys and the apostles. That the Bible is just a history book (good resource or reference book) that we can use for general guidance, but isn’t relevant to our practical everyday lives in today’s age. That “watered down” view of God & His Word is why many “Christians” are in subjection to their circumstances instead of being on the receiving end of Christ’s victory over the enemy and his earthly kingdom. Once again, it is an identity issue.
We are fellow heirs with Christ, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, upon whom all authority on heaven, on earth and beneath the earth have been given over to Him. “Whom [or what] shall we fear?” All things are in subjection to Him, and we belong to Him. But not as slaves, belonging to a master. Romans 8:14-15 says, “14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” We are his children.
Every good and loving father enjoys hearing from his children daily, and not just because they need or want something. He wants to hear about their lives, how things are going, if they need anything, and to express love to each other. Conversation, communication…relationship. That’s the sort of relationship our heavenly Father wants with us. He wants to get to know us, personally. He is not physically, nor spiritually, distant from us. He is very near us and would like for us to draw near to Him as well. We do not need an earthly middle man to relay messages back and forth to Him. He hears us whenever we call out to Him.
If we are sincere in our request to know Him more, He promises to reveal Himself in a personal way to each of us. However, if we are not reading His Word (the bible), we will not know how to discern his voice apart from our own thoughts, or a counterfeit message from the enemy. Reading His Word, helps us to become familiarized with His character and very nature. His Word is relevant today for live application and His Holy Spirit is available to teach us how to apply it to our everyday lives. He communicates with us in a variety of ways, all of which are personal and unique to the relationship we each have with Him.
Now, if any of this is too “science fiction” for even those who consider themselves to be “devout Christians,” then consider what 2 Corinthians 4:4-5 says, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
There is a reason for the confusion, and his name is Satan…the “author of confusion” and “the father of lies.” However, God is “faithful and true” and will always confirm His spoken words to those “who diligently seek him” with a sincere heart.
Matthew 7 was likely referring to those who did claim to “know” and “serve” God when Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven…” These are likely “Christians” who are the ones being told “ ‘I never knew you; depart from Me…!’” Non-Christians would not be crying out to Jesus, saying “Lord, Lord” if they did not regard Him as such.
How terrifying it is to think of standing before the throne on the day of judgement, expecting to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, only to be told by Christ, “Depart from Me, I never knew you!”
I see so many “Christians” who sport the “Christian” label, but aren’t bearing (or growing in) the fruit of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:22-23, “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering [perseverance], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control.”Instead, I often see “Christians” in bondage to, “…hatred, contentions [arguments], jealousies, outbursts of wrath [rage], selfish ambitions, dissensions [division], heresies [gossip], envy…revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” – Galatians 5:19-21.
Over time, these practices begin to produce an increase in all the characteristics mentioned before: fear, anxiety, worry, sorrow, depression, guilt, shame, condemnation, anger, bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness, chronic physical & mental illnesses, co-dependency, financial hardships, emptiness, self-destructive, etc. These “Christians” are not free, as they ought to be, but in bondage to the enemy to be manipulated at his discretion.
My heartfelt desire is to see these “Christians” set free, uncover their identity in Christ as children of God Almighty, and reap the benefits (right now). If there is any uncertainty as to whether or not one has firmly established their identify within the fullness of Christ, then take a moment to prayerfully verify three things between yourself and God (Romans 10).
1. Acknowledged that I am a sinner, in need of a savior.
No matter how good I behave, I will never be able to measure up to God’s standard of goodness. I cannot redeem myself from sin (being a sinner); therefore, I need a savior. Jesus came in the flesh, and having no sin Himself, took mine upon Himself and was killed in my place. My sin debt to God was paid in full at that time. Then, He was resurrected, making a way for me to one day be resurrected as well.
2. Repent of my sins. Spell out all my sins to God and ask for His forgiveness. Hold nothing back (He already knows). Thank Him for that forgiveness (already made available through the blood shed by Jesus). And sincerely ask Him to help me turn from my sin (even if I still enjoy it). God has a way of exchanging our ungodly desires for godly ones if we allow Him to work in our lives freely.
3. Confess Jesus Christ as Lord. Declare Him as Lord over all areas of my life. Over my family and loved ones, my job, my home, my things, my finances, my health, my relationships, my desires…everything. Turn it all over to Him to do with as He sees fit. God is a good father who knows how to give good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:11) and His will is always “good, acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). All I need is faith that He is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do, for “He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6). I appoint Jesus Christ as Lord over my life, and remove myself from the driver’s seat. Just as Jesus likewise prayed to the Father, saying “not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).
Every Christian should experience spiritual freedom as a regular part of their walk. If they are lacking that component, they are missing out on one of the biggest blessings God has for us on earth. Peace and wholeness, irrespective of our circumstances, because it is “God-given peace” and He is constant. Our circumstances may fluctuate, but not our God. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
His Word is My Truth 