BONDAGE and LIBERTY

Overcoming every bondage to live a victorious life

Imagine an individual tied to a chair with a rope. He cannot get up even if he wants to, because of the rope which is stronger than him. 

If he is still unable to get up when the rope is removed, it is either his physical problem or a  bondage of his soul. The soul could be bound by fear or anger or discouragement and bitterness.

When the LORD sets us free, He makes us whole, spirit, soul and body. He enables us to operate in the power of His Spirit to set others free, to love others the way JESUS loves us and for good works that would bless others.

Bitterness and unforgiveness are bondages that make it impossible for us to obey the commandment of love.

Self and worldliness make it difficult for us to release ourselves to fulfil GOD's plan for our lives.

All of creation is in Bondage, because of the FALL and SIN of man

For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. - Rom 8:20-21 

We live in a fallen world that is different to the Garden of Eden which GOD prepared for Adam and Eve. There is dust and dirt around so that we need to be cleaning this and washing that, constantly! There are animals that harm us and harm other creatures. Dangerous birds of prey and creeping crocodiles can cause great harm. Fungi and invisible bacteria and viruses do endless damage to our bodies. They also spoil our food. Insects feed on crops that are meant for people. Cockroaches, flies and mosquitoes are a great menace!

We live with the hope that one day, the whole of creation itself will be delivered from this bondage of corruption which are all effects of the fall of man.

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Bondage of fear and fear of Death

 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."
Genesis 2:16-17

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?" And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.' " Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die.
Genesis 3:1-4

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:56-57

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Heb 2:14-15 

The fear of death brings you into bondage, making you to live all your life avoiding or fighting death. This kind of lifestyle is a bondage because the fear keeps you from yielding to GOD.

The sinless LORD JESUS came to this earth in the flesh and suffered and died and then was resurrected so that He could set us free from the fear and the power of death. 

Therefore now death is simply a doorway to eternal life to those who have salvation in CHRIST.

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Bondage of Sin like the slavery of the Hebrews in Egypt

Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. - Jhn 8:34 

Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died. Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of the bondage.  So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them. - ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭2:23‭-‬25‬ 

‭Egypt depicts sin. All of us as human beings have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD. We are in spiritual bondage in this world of sin because the devil is the prince of the air.

 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. “You shall have no other gods before Me. - Exodus‬ ‭20:2‭-‬3‬ ‭

And Moses said to the people: "Remember this day in which you went out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out of this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten. - Exo 13:3 

 'And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family. 

Lev 25:10

 I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.
Jeremiah 29:14

JESUS CHRIST the Son of GOD has set us free from the bondage of sin by paying the ransom with His own life. He took the punishment of sin upon Himself. The blood that the LORD shed on the cross, cleanses us from all sin and He freely releases forgiveness to us. Therefore we are set free from the guilt, the shame, the pain and the fear of sin in JESUS CHRIST. 

They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, 'You will be made free'?" ... "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. - Jhn 8:33, 36 

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - Jhn 8:31-32 

But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 

2Co 3:15-18 

When we live according to the word of GOD, empowered by the Holy Spirit, washed by the blood of JESUS, we walk in liberty. He is the Truth that sets us free. 

 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

Philippians 3:9

When we are in CHRIST JESUS, we are free from the dominion of sin even though we are in the world of sin. It is like being safe inside a vehicle while travelling along a chaotic street!

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Returning to the Bondage of the Flesh through worldliness

 For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire."
2 Peter 2:18-22

It is possible even for those who have escaped from those who live in error, to be entangled once again and overcome by the lust of the flesh, which is a sad situation!

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Bondage of the Law depicted by Hagar.

Although the Hebrews were out of Egypt, they still lived their lives in the flesh. They were carnal minded. They had fleshly cravings and they grumbled against GOD and His servants.

Similarly, even after being born again and coming out of Egypt, we can be living carnal lives, ruled by the flesh and our self and not by the spirit.

Therefore they were given the Ten Commandments - the law - so that they would know how to live Godly lives in peace with GOD and in peace with each other.

For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. - ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭4:22‭-‬26‬ ‭

Therefore she said to Abraham, "Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, [namely] with Isaac." - Gen 21:10 

Hagar depicts life in the flesh. If we live according to the flesh, we have to be under the law and are in bondage to the law.

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death...

..For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Romans 8:1-2, 5-6

If we live according to the Spirit of GOD, we are free from the law, because we are led by the Spirit of GOD in righteousness and truth. 

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. - Gal 4:4-7 

Imagine a man taking two of his dogs for a walk.

One is on a leash and the other is not.

Both dogs are following at the heel of the man.

One dog is following because of the leash - the law. It is controlled by the law.

If it was not bound by the leash, it will not follow.

The other dog has a relationship with its master and has been trained to follow him.

It does not need a leash to follow the master. It just needs the master!

Such is the life of those who are led by the Spirit of GOD.

They are not bound by the law.

Having a GPS (navigation system) fitted in the vehicle and using it while driving is better and easier than having to look into a map book. GPS meaning Gentle Promptings of the Spirit!

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
Hebrews 8:10

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From the Bondage of Traditions to the Law of Liberty - Law of Love

And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Your precepts. - Psa 119:45 

Although David lived under the old covenant, he understood how to live at liberty because of His relationship with GOD. He was not bound by the law because he knew the purpose of the law and the heart of GOD!

 Now therefore, what have you on hand? Give me five loaves of bread in my hand, or whatever can be found." And the priest answered David and said, "There is no common bread on hand; but there is holy bread, if the young men have at least kept themselves from women." Then David answered the priest, and said to him, "Truly, women have been kept from us about three days since I came out. And the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in effect common, even though it was sanctified in the vessel this day." So the priest gave him holy bread; for there was no bread there but the showbread which had been taken from before the Lord, in order to put hot bread in its place on the day when it was taken away.
1 Samuel 21:3-6

 Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.' Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? And, 'Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.' Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift?
Matthew 23:16-19

The Pharisees and teachers of the law followed many traditions that kept them bound so that they could not follow the commandment of love.

 Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?" He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' "For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men--the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do." He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.' But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban"--' (that is, a gift to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do." When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand: There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.
Mark 7:1-15

Since they did not know the heart of GOD and the purpose of His commandments which is love, they kept many traditions to justify themselves.

 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues [in it], and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.  

James 1:25 

And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), - Galatians 2:4

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage - Galatians 5:1

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Prison doors opened 

 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover. Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and tie on your sandals"; and so he did. And he said to him, "Put on your garment and follow me." So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. And when Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people."
Acts 12:1-11

 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed.
Acts 16:23-26

Although Paul and Silas were in prison, they were free in the spirit to sing to the LORD. As the prisoners listened to the hymns with open minds, they were being set free spiritually. That released such power from heaven that opened all the doors and loosed everyone's chains!

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Set free by the Anointing of the Holy Spirit

 It shall come to pass in that day That his burden will be taken away from your shoulder, And his yoke from your neck, And the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil.
Isaiah 10:27

Samson

 So they spoke to him, saying, "No, but we will tie you securely and deliver you into their hand; but we will surely not kill you." And they bound him with two new ropes and brought him up from the rock. When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting against him. Then the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him; and the ropes that were on his arms became like flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds broke loose from his hands.

Judges 15:13-14

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."
Romans 8:15

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Bound to GOD by covenant

"I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant;
Ezekiel 20:37

 But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub. And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters. "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first."
Luke 11:17-26

When we are set free from powers of darkness, it is important that we become slaves of GOD, so that we don't go into any other slavery again! We must walk in the covenant relationship by which we are bound to GOD.

because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.

 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me."

For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!" Then He asked him, "What is your name?" And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion; for we are many."

Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.
Mark 5:4-5, 6-9,15

In this instance, the demonic power enabled Legion to break loose from chains and shackles that would keep him from harming himself and others. This power was destructive and caused this demon possessed man to live a life of disorder and chaos! When he was set free from the demonic power, the power of GOD working through the LORD JESUS, brought him into his boundaries and set his life in order.

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Slaves of GOD and Slaves of Righteousness

knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. ... But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 

Rom 6:6, 17-22 

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Bondservants of GOD

 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15

 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
John 15:5

Yet a man has risen to pursue you and seek your life, but the life of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of the living with the Lord your God; and the lives of your enemies He shall sling out, as from the pocket of a sling.

1 Samuel 25:29

Our soul should be bound to the Holy Spirit and we should abide IN Him. We should be out of every imprisonment and be found in CHRIST. We should as it were, 'imprison' ourselves IN Him!

Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ's slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called. - 1Co 7:21-24 

 

Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

Ephesians 6:5-8

Even though you may be in the position of a slave or a servant, if you are serving the LORD, you are free in CHRIST. Whatever you do, you will be doing as unto the LORD.

 

 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Matthew 6:24

If we truly serve GOD with all our heart, we will not be servants of the world or be in bondage to riches.

The only way to keep ourselves free from every other bondage is to become bond servants of the LORD JESUS. That is true freedom!

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Set free to set others free

"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." 

Isa 61:1-3 

"The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;  

Luk 4:18 

"Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?  

Isa 58:6

 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
Matthew 16:19

And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go."
John 11:44

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My Liberty should release me to love and not stumble others.

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. - Gal 5:13 

endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:3

"Conscience," I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man's conscience? But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks? Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. 

1Co 10:29-33 

But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.  

1Co 8:9-12 

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Paul

 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

Romans 7:21-25

For even the Apostle Paul experienced this battle in himself! As long as we live in this body, we will have to live with the weakness of the flesh and the carnal mind. In CHRIST, we have the victory as He gives us the strength and power of the Holy Spirit to overcome this weakness.

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Romans 8:11

Paul and the other Apostles of our LORD did experience such victory. They endured pain and suffering and physical bondage for the sake of CHRIST with joy. The cords of GOD's love and their faith enabled them to endure all suffering. They were indeed overcomers!

how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 20:20-24

Peter

 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
1 Peter 4:1-2

David

 I made haste, and did not delay To keep Your commandments. The cords of the wicked have bound me, But I have not forgotten Your law. At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You, Because of Your righteous judgments.
Psalm 119:60-62

The Psalmist speaks about the cords of the wicked that probably indicate words and actions of those who were against him. These bound his soul by preoccupying his mind with the words and works of the wicked. But his soul was set free when he remembered and meditated on the law of the LORD. He was also not bound by the weariness of his flesh, but rose at midnight to give thanks to the LORD!

We need to be therefore strong in the spirit to overcome the weaknesses of the flesh and of the soul. This is possible by abiding in the LORD through prayer and meditation of the word and obedience to the Holy Spirit.  

The LORD JESUS

 Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him.
John 18:12

Our LORD JESUS, the GOD of the universe, willingly came down, restricted to a human body. He was bound as a criminal, imprisoned and nailed to a cross. His body was sealed in a tomb. But the power of GOD raised Him from the dead.

He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.
Isaiah 53:7-8

That is the victory the LORD gained over His flesh by His Spirit. Is it possible for us to live that way?

 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Mark 14:38

Our Precious LORD JESUS willingly gave Himself to be bound and imprisoned so that we could be set free. Let us use this freedom from sin, to let Him live and glorify Himself through us.

 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Ephesians 5:1-2

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