The World’s Freedom Brings Bondage
The world says, “It is not good to be restrained, all things are permissible, there is no right or wrong, no one should judge you.” This is their “freedom” from the limitations of
Unrestrained free spirits
righteousness. However, this kind of freedom brings bondage to all those “permissible” things.
Romans 6:20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness
This says that when we were slaves of sin, we were free. This is what the term “In Bondage to Freedom” means. The people in this picture certainly think they are free. The so-called freedom of breaking away from limitations and constraints that God puts on us feels good and makes us think we are “free spirits”. However, the compulsion to reject all things that would restrain us makes us bound to do the opposite – be unrestrained and uninhibited.
The underlying power behind “bondage” and “slavery” is law – the concept of an outside
A controlling force
force compelling you to do something – whatever it is. To be a slave of sin would therefore mean that sin somehow is a force of law that compels you to behave a certain way. The compulsion is more subtle than that, however. A sinful perspective on life directs every thought and attitude – not just isolated sinful acts.
While the average person may not think they are in bondage to anything, the test comes when an alternative is presented. Do you do the righteous thing and refrain from doing such and so, or does your sense of “freedom” tell you to go ahead and do it anyway? This is when “freedom” becomes the force that compels you to do something you should not do.
Romans 7:19-20 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
Copyright © 2015 John D. Cooper