Daily Devotional – Saturday, June 4, 2022
…people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.
2 Peter 2:19 (NIV)
The United Kingdom and the Unites States of America abolished slavery in 1833 and 1865 respectively. They criminalized this cruel practice and helped free millions from servitude.
A slave is the property of the master and owns nothing. The slave-owner controls the slave like a puppet. For the entire period of slavery (usually a lifetime), the slave exists to please his or her master.
People Are Slaves to Whatever Has Mastered Them
Regrettably, while physical slavery has declined, human beings remain slaves in many other respects. According to Apostle Peter, “…people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” (2 Peter 2:19).
Peter was angry with false teachers who taught that once people accepted Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, they were free to live as they pleased, including walking in their former sinful lusts.
Here is Apostle Paul’s take:
“Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16).
Modern Forms of Slavery
We must choose whom or what we will serve. Alcohol, drug abuse, money, anger, immorality and other forms of unrighteousness can be our masters if we yield to them. They will control us fully because they own us.
Conversely, if we submit ourselves to God and righteousness, God will be our Master. Then, like Paul in Romans 1:1, we will consider ourselves slaves of Jesus Christ. We will obey Him fully because He owns us.
Whose slave are you? Do you serve Jesus or Satan?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I am happy to be Your slave.
