Freedom in Slavery

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:20-23 (ESV)

I know that seems like a very weird title but when we walk with Jesus that is our standing. When you did not know Christ as your savior you could do anything you wanted without any care for the consequences; because for many of us, we did not believe or even worry about the future and if there was anything after death. Been there done that have the T-shirts to prove it, than we were saved by God’s grace from an eternal life in Hell. Like the verse states all the fruit in our lives before that day only led to death. This scripture reminds me of the end of The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis. Aslan sends Diggery and Polly to a special Garden to retrieve a piece of fruit that will protect Narnia from the White Witch. When they reach the Garden she is already there and has been eating the fruit. They escape her and get back to Aslan and Diggery tells Him she has already eaten the fruit. Aslan explains; "that because she has stolen the fruit it will drive her away from the tree and in the end protect them for 100’s of years." In our own lives we try to take advantage of the good things without recognizing the giver of them. That is why we find no satisfaction; we are continuously trying new and different things looking for something that satisfies. In the end when we allow God to direct our paths and we trust in Him; even in the bad times, we will learn to be satisfied and enjoy the fruits of our labors.  The Magician’s Nephew ends with Diggery being allowed to take a piece of the fruit from the tree back to his mother who is dying of cancer. When she at it she was healed. Is it not interesting to see that the same piece of fruit given with permission can bring life when stolen it only leads to death.  I once knew a man who used to say stolen fruit was sweeter till someone shot him out of an apple tree one day. He’s dead now. God has so many wonderful things in store for you when you trust Him. I pray that as you start 2012 you are trusting in Him to provide for your ever need. It may not be the want you have but it will be sweeter in the end. Have a blessed day as you walk in the light of His Word.