Remember Jesus, who sets us free from slavery

and deliver all those who through fear of death we subject to lifelong slavery. Hebrews 2:15

Jesus has set you free. If you remember one thing today, let it be that. You have no fears, no worries, no sadness, no pains, that Jesus is not working through to overcome. Satan has no claim on you, because he has no claim on Jesus, and Jesus calls you His.

I have several favorite passages on this subject, so let's go for it.

First, on slavery -

For we ourselves were once foolish disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. Titus 3:3

Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? Romans 6:16

That's who we were. But look at who we are -

But when the goodness and lovingkindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:4-5 

But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. Romans 6:17-18. (For more on slavery/freedom, please read Romans 6 in its entirety). 

And look who did it -

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. Luke 4:18. Jesus quotes Isaiah 61:1

And why -

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 

I think the thing that really gets me about all this, is that this was the plan from the beginning, for us to enjoy God and for His name to be known and lifted high -

Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord: that he looked down from his holy height; from heaven the Lord looked at the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die Psalm 102:18-20 

God is faithful. He keeps covenant throughout the generations. Praise the Lord, for He is good and His steadfast love endures forever!

Jesus sets us free because we put ourselves in captivity. We like our collection of hurts and the ways of this world far more than we enjoy God. Jesus sets us free from our slavery by giving us everything in Him and changing our hearts from what we once knew to what we know now in Him.

You move in the unseen 
You set the captives free
As I stand and sing 
You're breaking the chains off me 

Bones, by Hillsong. Verse 3.