“For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:20-23

Slavery is the exact opposite of freedom.

In America, where freedom is at such a high value, our nation’s history of slavery is a painful part of our past. There’s no doubt that the most horrific war in the history of the United States was fought between the states as our southern forefathers sought to defend the institution of slavery. Yet, President Lincoln felt that the Union should be preserved at all costs. While being a slave is no longer seen as a part of our nation’s culture, the negative consequences and ripple effects can still be seen today.

So, that being the case, how can it be that there are actually MORE slaves around the world today than in the history of man?

Well, here is the horrific, sad truth.

Since its previous edition in 2018, The Global Slavery Index 2023 report estimates another 10 million people have become caught in ‘modern slavery’ (sex trafficking, child sex trafficking, forced labor, etc.) taking the total in slavery to 50 million – including 28 million subject to forced labor and 22 million to forced marriages.

While it is no longer legal to have slaves in America, my home town of Atlanta, Georgia is one of the major headquarters in the United States for sex trafficking and human bondage. It is impossible to imagine.

Yet, even in our own everyday lives, being a slave has different meanings and one is the slavery to sin, which is manifested in many forms

But believe it or not, the Word of God tells us that being a slave can also a good thing.

You’re kidding, right?

How is that even possible?

Well, the Bible tells us of a good slavery – it is slavery to God.

What does that mean??

Slavery to God means we choose to obey God’s will versus our own.

Here’s the irony: those of us in Christ have been set free from a bondage to sin and then, out of gratitude for what God has done, being a slave means wanting to do the things that are pleasing to Him!

You see, the word ‘slave’ is also defined as ‘servant.’ And a good servant always wants to please the Master.

Now that’s the kind of slave I want to be.

How about you?

We can only do this through serving Christ.

Written by Bryant Wright, Founder, RFTH

WANT MORE?

Read “What does it mean to be a slave to sin?” at GotQuestions.org