13lbs of weight shackled to your legs, arms, and neck. All of it keeping you pinned. Even if you had the energy to move, you couldn't, because you have to carry around this extra bondage. You look around the ship and see life fading. The dead man next to you is unnerving and you can't wait for the masters to come and take him away to toss him overboard. The stench is gut-wrenching, but, for some reason, you've almost grown accustomed to it. Will this ever end? Will you ever know freedom in this life?
This is a life that is appalling. Slavery is appalling. And yet, we live our lives in slavery to sin every, single day. Sure, I can describe slavery by man and we would each say, "That is ridiculous!" but when I tell you about your slavery to sin, you shy away and act like it doesn't exist. But it does! And, you know it!
John 8:36 says, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." You have been freed from captivity! You have been freed from your bandage in sin! You are free indeed!
Why don't we take that seriously? Do we like our chains? Do we desire the burden of guilt? What is truly keeping us from being released from sin? I think it's us! We like our sin just a little too much.
And, what's crazy is the fact that our sin is killing us. We're OK w/t he stench. We like lying close to death. We enjoy the momentary "lapse in judgment," but it leaves us SO empty inside. If you desire to be released from that burden, then let Christ (who has the key), unshackle you. Let Him unleash His salvation to wash over you with His forgiveness. Be changed. Live changed.
If you think that your life is cool, then share this with someone else. Help them to see Christ for themselves. Let them know that you are real. And, be the change every day that you live life.
God's blessings on your life this week,
Bryan
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