Delivered, Yet In Bondage
Central Thought: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Hymn: Must I go – And Empty Handed?
Text: Galatians 3:1-6, 5:1-5; Exodus 32:7-6
It is a great accomplishment to obtain liberty for oneself or for another, but is greater task to sustain the principles and process of that liberty. This scenario is more apt in the Christian race where at repentance; we are delivered from the darkness of sin and Satan, and brought into the marvelous light of Christ’s gospel. What have we done with this state of liberty? The tendency to drift into another form of bondage is high, through the conflicts and fusion of the old and new lives.
There are very many practical trends in todays’ Church that are clear evidences of bondage among believers. They manifest in life styles, self –imposed taboos and very poor understanding of the divine privileges associated with salvation.
This study is aimed at identifying the various forms of bondage plaguing believers today and to proffer solutions out of such captivity.
Lesson Objectives:
- To explain how one can be delivered and yet be in bondage.
- To identify the causes of bondage after deliverance.
- To discuss some biblical examples of people that were delivered and yet in bondage.
- To identify practices among believers that are evidences of bondage.
- To examine how we may truly remain delivered from bondage.
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Discuss the phrase ‘delivered, yet in bondage’.
In the context of this study, to deliver means to liberate, or to set free form any form of oppression, barrier, obstacle; while bondage refers to a state of servitude, captivity or subjugation by a force. It means to be restricted in liberty. The two concepts deliver and bondage are contrary to each other.
In the context of salvation in Christ, we are grafted into the family of God when we express faith in Jesus Christ and follow it up with repentance. We are thus delivered. From this state of liberty, it is possible to gradually slide back into the same type of entanglement or with another form of bondage. In this situation, our practical lives will not match the expectations of the kingdom. Such and individual will still be under the oppressive influence of sin, and his Christian growth will be retarded. Service will be ineffective and living the Christian life (i.e. Christ-like life) becomes burdensome. The desire for the pleasures of the old lifestyle begins to reawaken.
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What are the causes of bondage after deliverance? Proverbs 4:23; Hosea 4:6
The general cause of bondage after deliverance is spiritual carelessness, and poor discernment. This is seen in manifest ignorance of the word of God, giving birth to impatience, greed, incomplete surrender, ungodly association, inadequate discipleship training, and outright disobedience.
Other causes are carnality and lust, pride of life and excessive desire for material accomplishment. Others are doctrinal cross-breeding through allegiance to multiple fellowships and numerous prophets.
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Are there scriptural instances of people who were delivered, but still experienced bondage? Exodus 32:7-9, Galatians 3:1-3
There are some examples where people who were delivered by God, had to slide back to bondage. The Israelites were delivered from bondage in Egypt by the strong are of God through Moses. But with every challenge, they openly manifested the nature of Egypt. They soon forgot their slavery and craved for the pot flesh of Egypt. This became a hindrance and many of them perished without getting to the Promise Land.
The Galatian Church is another example. It didn’t take long, after they were saved by grace, for them to return to the practices of the Law which brought division to their Church. They were sharply rebuked by Apostle Paul.
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Identify practices among believers that are evidences of returning to bondage.
At the point of new birth, the believer is quickened (made alive) in the spirit, his sins are forgiven and experiences the reality of the fact that his curses have been taken out of the way, and nailed to the cross. He becomes a new creature, now empowered to have authority over sin and Satan. However, with time and in the face of challenges, he is tempted to return to the old nature with its practices. Some of them that will be very apparent include the strong desire to return to the old ways of the of the world in the name of culture and tradition, modernizing idolatry, infidelity and abuse/misuse of the marriage institution, materialism and love of money, social gang ups, ungodly feasting, indecent make-ups, return to worldly music and filthy language, compromise and exhibition of primordial sentiment (tribalism, sectionalism, class distinction) in the Church. Other manifestations are unscriptural visualization of Godly programs, gradual decline in interest on fellowship of numerous worldly responsibilities and a very critical spirit.
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How do we maintain our state of freedom after deliverance? Psalm 119:11; Galatians 5:16-18; Proverbs 3:5-6. 4:20-23
The first principle in maintaining our freedom is to give attention to teaching and learning of the word of God. Motivational talks and laws of success should not be confused for the word of God that is spirit and life. We should allow the Holy Spirit to build in us the consciousness of God by the revelation of His word. Also we should submit ourselves to impartation and in-filling of the Holy Spirit so that at no time shall we be subjected to the devil’s manipulations. When we give ourselves for the work of God, there will be now room for bondage. A return to bondage is the product of an idle mind that is not in the Spirit. Believers are to avoid shortcuts to success, learn to endure hardness, be in fellowship and communion with true believers and have our appetites and passions under God’s control. Avoid moving from one local assembly or fellowship to another, be obedient to godly authority, participate actively in the study of God’s word and let our focus be heaven-ward.
When we do all these our redemption will be sure, long-lasting and fruitful, 2 Peter 1:3-10.
Daily Living Application:
Today’s church gathering is filled with people who mix up old life with new life, who believe in the power of God but live in fear of Satan and demons. These are people who profess grace, but are deeply rooted in rituals for healing, protection and blessings. Such ones, though delivered previously, are yet in bondage. Salvation through Jesus Christ is a total package that breaks one free from satan and his oppressive agents. Believers are expected to be diligent in the knowledge of God’s word, committed to God’s service and fervent in the fellowship of the Hold Spirit.
Memory Verse:
John 8:36 – “If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.”