Eternal Emancipation : Part 2
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36
On Thursday January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared a decree of deliverance for 3.5 million Blacks as the nation found itself embroiled in an evil and eviscerating civil war. The Emancipation Proclamation declared "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free."(U.S National Archives)
Even though this exemplary and extraordinary document enjoyed extensive expression, it was not broad in its legal scope of authority. The Proclamation only applied to states that had seceded from the United States, leaving slavery unscathed in the loyal border states. In addition, it deliberately excused parts of the Confederacy (the Southern secessionist states) that were already subject to Union authority. I should also mention the foreboding fact that the freedom forwarded by the Emancipation Proclamation was contingent on the United States conquest over the Confederate states.
Furthermore, the Proclamation announced the acceptance of black men into the Union Army and Navy, and thereby facilitating a fighting force that empowered the enslaved to erase and extinguish the evil flames of satanic servitude. At the conclusion of the Civil war close to 200,000 black soldiers and sailors had fought for the Union and freedom.
Now let’s transition from U.S. history to HIS-STORY! Our Lord Jesus Christ embraced and engaged His cross to provide Eternal Emancipation from evil and the satanic slavery of sin. The bondage of Beelzebub. Our Lord Jesus Christ declared that sin is a slave master.
John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Moreover, unlike the emancipation proclamation, which was limited, and restricted and applicable for only one people group for freedom and fought with the heads, hearts, and hands of man and consequently a man centered emancipation. Our emancipation is eternal because the one who fought for our freedom enjoyed an eternal head, heart, and hand! And all power was given to him in heaven and earth. (Matthew 28:18) To set us free and free indeed!! (John 8:36)
Hebrews 2:14-15 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
People can become truly free by becoming children of God by faith in Christ, the Son (Gal. 3:26)
The Son (Jesus Christ) is he who gives power to make us the sons of God and “Only by getting the true spirit (Holy Spirit) and regenerated life (Born again) of a child can anyone be delivered from the bondage of iniquity generated by ignorance of the concrete truth about God, about human condition and about the relation between God and man.
I encourage you to embrace and exercise in your Eternal Emancipation every day!
Not a sermon, just some thoughts.
For the Glory of God,
PBKSR