Slavery was a reality for people in the time of the Bible. For people today, when they think of slavery, they probably think of American slavery. For the people of the Bible, slavery was a prominent practice that they observed. Slaves would be brought to market and sold off to the highest bidder. In the Roman world, it is estimated that up to 1/3 of the population were slaves.
Slavery was a real problem in the world of the Bible (as it continues to be in parts of our world today). But slavery was also a good picture of what goes on in every human heart.
Our sin makes us slaves
The Bible makes it clear that every human is in slavery to sin. Each sin that is committed only further plunges a person into their slavery.
John 8:34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.
As the power of sin gets greater and greater in a person’s life, they begin to despise their very own actions. This was the situation of the Apostle Paul:
Romans 7:15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
Most people view themselves as free to decide their fate and their life choices. This is fundamentally untrue, however, if you are not a Christian. The truth is that if you aren’t a Christian, then you are a slave to sin.
The cross sets us free
The good news of Jesus is that he has come to set humanity free. In fact, this is how Jesus pictured his coming: it was freedom from slavery:
Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
The Bible pictures Jesus defeating Satan, sin, and death through his cross and resurrection. In a seeming paradox, by having the sins of the world laid upon him, Jesus earned freedom for us from our sins.
Colossians 2:15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
We can live in freedom
This means that anyone who is a Christian has been set free from slavery.
John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
According to the Bible this freedom is meant to be used to serve God, love him, and love others. Christians actually joyfully become slaves of Christ.
