SALVATION'S REMEDY FOR FEAR AND BONDAGE

"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" (Heb 2:14-15). "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father" (Rom 8:15).

Devotion 8 of 18

WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE SPIRIT OF BONDAGE

The text before us is both strong and pleasant. It is the affirmation of how life in Christ always begins. Here is the text as stated in various versions. "For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again" (NASB). "For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear" (NRSV). "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear" (NIV). Our Hebrews text mentioned fear leading to bondage: i.e., "who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage" (Heb 2:15). The Romans text says bondage leads to fear. What is the difference between the two statements–or is there a difference?

The "fear" of reference is not the fear that drives us to the Lord, that is, "the fear of the Lord." That fear is "clean," the "beginning of wisdom," and "prolongs" our days (Psa 19:9; 111:10; Prov 10:27). In that fear there is "strong confidence" (Prov 14:26), for it is "a fountain of life" (Prov 14:27). By that fear, men "depart from evil" (Prov 16:6).

But the fear related to bondage is one that causes men to depart from God, like Adam did in the garden. It is a fear founded upon unbelief, not faith. This is the fear that compelled the unfaithful servant to say, "I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground" (Matt 25:25). This type of fear constrained Israel to say to Moses, "You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die" (Ex 20:19). Before he died, Moses recalled to Israel the words they said that day in Horeb. "Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not" (Deut 18:16). That fear led them into bondage to sin, for there is no other recourse if men will not come to, and hear, the living God.

After men have been liberated from that intimidating fear, if they are again brought into bondage through a system of Law, a fear that pushes men away from God will surface again. That is because fear that moves us away from God, and bondage to sin, are twins in the womb of carnality. They always go together.

"We," that is, those in Christ Jesus, "have not received the spirit of bondage again." We have not received a law designed to keep our basic natures in check. Having been reconciled to God through the death of His son (Col 1:21), we are not longer His enemies. His law is now written upon our hearts and minds, making it pleasant to us, and greatly to be desired (Heb 10:16). Our basic nature is now at peace with God. The result of this reconciliation is that a preference for and delight in the Lord is acquired. We therefore are at our best and most confident state when we are in His presence. We feel our most miserable and have the least confidence when we are not aware of His presence. We have "not received the spirit of bondage again unto fear."

Only "sons," i.e., those partaking of the Divine nature (2 Pet 1:4), desire the courts of the Lord, or are comfortable in the Lord's presence. For them, the Law of God no longer prohibits them from doing the things they primarily desire. Rather, it actually expresses what their hearts do desire. The result is that we are drawn to the Lord, instead of repelled by Him as Israel was at Sinai. In the heart of the redeemed, there is a sense of affinity with God, of union with and reconciliation to Him. Rather than fearing the confrontation of Him, we long to be in His courts. As expressed by the sweet Psalmist of Israel, "For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness" (Psa 84:10).

The "spirit of bondage" is a moral principle little understood by the religious world. When the people of God are addressed as though they are primarily recalcitrant, wayward, and basically carnal, sin gains strength in them. Such approaches unlock the door that faith shuts to the devil. Although quite popular, such talk places a barrier between the Lord and His people, causing them to think of themselves as alienated instead of reconciled. This is the very type of mind in which fear is welcomed and cultured.

Some will object to this, saying that waywardness in professed believers must be addressed. Indeed, this is the truth. But how is such waywardness addressed? From the standpoint of Law, or that of grace? Hear the words of the Spirit. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Rom 12:1-2). And again, "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul" (1 Pet 2:11). Who can forget the word of the Lord to the Colossians, who were being led away by vain philosophy. "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God" (Col 3:1-3). To the reprehensible church at Laodicea Jesus said, "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent" (Rev 3:18-19).

In all of these cases, believers who were returning to sin were addressed as people who had been reconciled to God, yet were drawing back. They were urged to return to their first love, and repudiate their fleshly inclinations. The Spirit spoke to them as those who were not basically sinful, yet stood in jeopardy of degenerating to that state if they did not repent.

This manner of speaking is possible ONLY because, in Christ, we have "not received the spirit of bondage again unto fear." We are not shackled to bondage, but possess the wings of spiritual freedom. By them we can soar into heavenly realms, and bask in the presence of the Lord. God's people are to be addressed as free men, not slaves.

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ I thank you for the effectiveness of reconciliation. I ask for grace to be alert to every influence that obscures my standing in Christ.

– Tomorrow: THE NATURE OF FEAR --