Our bondage and redemption!

Charles Spurgeon, et al.

(Be sure to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

Deuteronomy 15:15, "Remember that you were a SLAVE in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God REDEEMED you."

The call to remember is a command to live in the constant awareness of our previous bondage and gracious salvation. The memory of the depth of our bondage, brings out the wonder of our redemption. The Christian, redeemed by the precious sin-atoning death of Jesus, has a great deliverance to remember--from sin, Satan, and the world.
 

I. Remember Your BONDAGE

  1. I was a slave of SIN.

Sin ruled me with an iron hand. I once obeyed its lusts without resistance (Romans 6:17). Its chains were invisible, but they bound my will, polluted my desires and affections, and darkened my understanding. Every effort to free myself, only tightened the chains. Sin promised freedom, but paid wages of misery and damnation.

  2. I was a slave of the DEVIL.

The god of this world blinded my mind (2 Corinthians 4:4). I followed his cruel dominion, mistaking his bondage for liberty. He whispered lies of freedom, while holding me captive to do his will (2 Timothy 2:26). He is a tyrant who repays our service with eternal ruin. How great was my delusion to serve such a monster.

  3. I was a slave of the WORLD.

The world's applause was my idol, its pleasures were my chains. I sought its approval, feared its frown, and drank its poison as though it were honey. But God, being rich in mercy, awakened me to see the deception and vanity of worldly bondage.
 

II. Remember Your REDEMPTION

  1. God redeemed me from the slavery of SIN.

The price was not silver or gold, but the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18–19). He bore the wrath due to my rebellion. The guilt that would have crushed me to Hell, was laid on Him. By His sin-atoning death in my place, I am forgiven of my every sin. My chains fell off; my heart was made willing. My redemption is complete, effectual, and eternal.

  2. God redeemed me from the slavery of the DEVIL.

I was once Satan's spawn--but no longer am I his child. I was once Satan's slave--now I am free from his chains (John 8:44; 2 Timothy 2:26).

  3. God redeemed me from the slavery of the WORLD.

Once I was enslaved to the world's glittering enchantments. I was charmed by its ensnaring promises, blinded by its pride, and satisfied with its perishing pleasures. I served its idols with zeal, though they gave only emptiness in return. But Jesus, my Redeemer, broke those chains and opened my eyes to behold His all-surpassing beauty.
 

IV. The INFLUENCE which my bondage and subsequent redemption ought to have upon me

  1. HUMILITY before my Redeemer.

There was nothing worthy in me. What good do I have, that I did not first receive from my Redeemer? (1 Corinthians 4:7). Remembering my chains, destroys my pride. Once a slave--now a redeemed son! Once condemned--now justified! Grace leaves no room for boasting, but compels my soul to cry, "Not unto us, O Lord, but to Your name give glory" (Psalm 115:1).

  2. GRATITUDE to my Redeemer.

Gratitude is the melody of the redeemed heart. Shall I, who was freed from sin and Hell by His precious sin-atoning death, not be eternally grateful to my adorable Redeemer? When my heart grows cold, let me revisit the cross, and behold my redemption there.

  3. LOVE and DEVOTION to my Redeemer.

By His sin-atoning death, Jesus has delivered me from the cruel slavery of sin, Satan, and the world. He broke the chains that bound my soul, and called me out of the dominion of darkness, into His marvelous light. Such astounding grace, calls for a heart aflame with love and devotion to my Redeemer, who redeemed me at such a high cost (Galatians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:9).

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.
But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ, even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved." Ephesians 2:1–5