No Longer Slaves
Seeing this topic, a song came to mind. This song absolutely describes exactly what we intend to dive into.
“ You unravel me, with a melody, you surround me with a song
No Longer Slaves – Bethel Music
of deliverance, from my enemies, till all my fears have gone
I’m no longer a slave to fear, I am a child of God”
Listening to that song for the first time, there was a deeply satisfying and overwhelming sensation of hope. These feelings were not only a result of the composition, it was the message that was captured in the song. The repeated affirmation of my status as God’s child by which I have been liberated from the shackles that bound me. I have gone to listen to this beautiful song countless times afterward, yet it never loses its relevance.
I often ask myself, what does it mean to be a slave? How does it work? Is it a psychological, mental or physical state?
How many of us can make this awesome claim?
To answer this question, we must understand what it is to be a slave.
To become a slave, you must have been a person who is the property of and wholly subject to another and forced to provide unpaid labor- A person entirely under the domination of some influence or person: A slave is also considered by law as property, and this individual will be deprived of most of the rights ordinarily held by free persons.
Wow! Technically, a slave has no right at all.
Further research has shown that through the years, some of us have been subjected to having a slave mentality- it is the perception that one merely accepted slavery as their lot in life. It’s realizing that things are never going to get any better. It’s recognition of your bondage and trying to make the best out of the worst.
How then can you get liberated from slavery or a slave mentality?
To answer this question, we will ruminate on the story of the Israelites in Egypt (Exodus 1:1-13:16, KJV).
Israel’s mistreatment by the Egyptians provides the background and impetus for their redemption. Pharaoh did not allow them to follow Moses into the wilderness to worship the Lord and thus denied a measure of their religious freedom. But their oppression as workers in the Egyptian economic system is what gets my attention. God hears the cry of his people and does something about it. Now, we must remember that the people of Israel do not groan because of work in general, but because of the harshness of their work. In response, God does not deliver them into a life of total rest, but a release from oppressive work.
This represents the kind of oppression that some of us go through in life. As humans who are faced daily with one worldly travail or the other, we sometimes make the wrong choices. Some settle for their jobs, relationships, fame, appearance, acceptance, food, alcohol, etc., and quite naturally, the more we commit to fulfilling the limitless demands of these things, the more bound we are to them. Most of these things however are caused by fear of the unknown caused by being in captivity for so long.
Fear has destroyed relationships, careers, and other things that are dear to people. If allowed to fester, it is capable of dominating and manipulating faith, thoughts, and dreams. It can shatter marriages, careers, parenting, and ministry, and has pushed many to the brink of depression and desperation. This is both unfortunate and ironic considering that God intends differently for us. (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV), says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and of a sound mind” So why do we remain in fear?
Conclusively, you must understand that irrespective of the influence of your background, social media, and negative relationships, your status as God’s child is never in doubt. His reflection and glory shine upon you. Through his grace and acceptance, you are liberated from whatever has been restraining you. You are no longer a slave to any vice. (Galatians 5:1 KJV) says, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”You are free!