“Don’t become idolaters as some of them were; as it is written,
‘The people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to party.’”
— 1 Corinthians 10:7
Freedom or Folly?
Modern culture celebrates the “last night of freedom”—a pre-marriage blowout meant to indulge every forbidden appetite before the supposed “constraints” of commitment begin.
These events often include drunkenness, crude entertainment, risqué imagery, and a “free pass” mentality: whatever happens tonight is fine—as long as it’s before ‘I do.’
Ironically, what begins as a celebration of freedom frequently ends in shame, regret, or destruction. Relationships collapse, dignity evaporates, and reputations shatter. The illusion of freedom exposes itself as slavery—to sin, to self, and to Satan.
The Bondage of Sin
The Apostle Paul described this pattern two thousand years ago, listing “fleshly desires,” “disgraceful passions,” “envy,” “drunkenness,” “idolatry,” and “carousing” as symptoms of humanity’s condition—“dead in trespasses and sins.”
“The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 4:4
Whether or not we acknowledge God, reality does not bend to our denial. Creation testifies that we are not autonomous. Every heartbeat, every breath, every moment of life depends on the sustaining will of our Creator.
We cannot escape the truth that we are slaves by nature. The only question is—whose slaves are we?
The Lie of Autonomy
Sin promises freedom but delivers bondage.
Every violation of God’s wisdom—whether sexual immorality, deception, greed, or pride—tightens the chains of slavery.
The criminal who robs or kills is bound by law, guilt, and fear. The liar becomes trapped in deceit. The addict becomes enslaved to the substance or behavior that once promised escape.
“Although they know God’s just sentence—that those who practice such things deserve to die—they not only do them, but even applaud those who practice them.” — Romans 1:32
The more we sin, the less free we become. And yet the world applauds this spiral into death as “self-expression” or “authenticity.”
The Words of Christ
Jesus declared,
“If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” — John 8:31–32
The religious leaders replied, “We have never been slaves to anyone.”
Jesus answered,
“Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin… You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires.” — John 8:34, 44
These are not metaphorical words. They are diagnostic. Every human being is either enslaved to sin or enslaved to righteousness—no middle ground.
We are born “children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:3), and Christ exposes that truth not to condemn us but to rescue us. His diagnosis is the first act of divine mercy.
The Mission of the Messiah
When Jesus entered the synagogue in Nazareth, He read from Isaiah:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives,
recovery of sight to the blind,
to set free those who are oppressed.” — Luke 4:18
Jesus’ death was not an accident of politics or circumstance. It was the foreordained plan of God (Revelation 13:8).
The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world turned humanity’s ultimate act of rebellion—crucifying our Creator—into the ultimate act of redemption.
Through His cross, He shattered the prison bars of sin and offered true freedom to those enslaved by their own desires.
The Father of Lies vs. the Lord of Life
Satan’s strategy has never changed:
Convince humans that freedom means rejecting God’s authority.
But that supposed “freedom” always ends in chains. Each indulgence multiplies guilt, shame, and bondage until the sinner’s prison becomes self-sealed.
King Jesus reveals the only true liberty:
“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” — John 8:36
Christ liberates us not from authority but into the right authority—the joyful obedience of sons and daughters restored to their rightful Father.
The Slavery We Choose
Every addiction, every obsession, every idol exposes whom we serve.
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The alcoholic is enslaved to the bottle.
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The lustful to their passions.
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The greedy to their possessions.
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The glutton or anorexic to food and image.
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The fearful to their circumstances.
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The angry to their rage.
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The proud to themselves.
Each master promises freedom. Each master lies.
“Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteousness.” — Romans 6:16
The Tragedy of False Freedom
Pop icon George Michael once sang about “Freedom,” lamenting how fame devoured his soul.
He longed to “take these lies and make them true somehow,” but without Christ, he couldn’t.
Though he had everything the world offers—money, fame, pleasure—he died a lonely, addicted, broken man.
That is what happens when we chase freedom apart from God. Every idol ultimately kills its worshiper.
Choose Whom You Will Serve
Joshua’s timeless challenge still stands:
“If serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…
But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” — Joshua 24:15
We will all serve someone. The only question is whether it will be the deceiver who enslaves or the Redeemer who frees.
The Apostle Paul captures the paradox of grace:
“Having been set free from sin, you have become slaves of righteousness.” — Romans 6:18
Slavery to sin destroys. Slavery to Christ redeems. One ends in death; the other in everlasting life.
The Only True Freedom
King Jesus alone can break the chains forged by our rebellion.
He bore our punishment, conquered death, and now reigns as the risen Lord who sets captives free.
His invitation still stands:
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28
You are not autonomous. You are not your own. You were made by Him, and for Him.
And in His service, you will finally know what freedom truly means.
Which will you choose?
Blessings and love,
Kevin M. Kelley
Pastor
BigIslandChristianChurch.com
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