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Success through freedom from sin Part 1

By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi
03 November 2019   |   1:23 am
Freedom is a desirable experience for everyone. Possibilities abound for those who are truly free from any form of bondage. This is especially true of believers, Christian ministers, pastors, preachers and leaders.

Pastor W. F. Kumuyi

Freedom is a desirable experience for everyone. Possibilities abound for those who are truly free from any form of bondage. This is especially true of believers, Christian ministers, pastors, preachers and leaders. When believers and Christian servants are free, they are able to minister the same freedom to others. But if they were bound up, tied down and oppressed, it would be difficult to make positive impacts on others. The church and their ministry would suffer the attendant consequences.

The Scripture reveals that some people had important positions in the economy of God, but they were not free. Achan was in God’s great army that was poised to take the land of Canaan, but he was not free from covetousness. Balaam was a reputable prophet and a confidant of Balaak, king of Moab, but he was not free from covetousness and greed. Cain, first son to be born into this world, was bound by the spirit of envy, jealousy and hatred. Demas, a companion of Paul, the apostle, who had the privilege of working directly with this great apostle, was not free.

Felix, noble and excellent governor so-called, heard the gospel directly from apostle Paul, but could not break free from pride. Esau and Jacob were twin-brothers from Isaac. While Jacob was free, Esau was not. Gideon, though a great military man that brought victory and success to Israel, was not free from idolatry. Herod, a king in the Roman Empire and Ishmael, a descendant of Abraham were not left out from the evil bondage of self and Satan. Judas Iscariot wa
lked and worked with Christ for three and a half years, partook of His miracles and maintained the bag, but he was not free.

Although Korah, Dathan and Abiram were leaders at the time of Moses, they were deep in rebellion that eventually ruined their lives. Lot and his wife were not free from worldliness. Miriam was guilty of slander and talkativeness. Thomas was plagued by unbelief, after he disputed with other disciples that Christ had appeared to them, following His resurrection. Uzziah was full of pride and challenged the man of God. He became a leper till the day of his death. Zechariah was a priest under the old covenant, but his unbelief in God’s ability to give him a child at old age got him into trouble, and he became dumb until the child was born.

Greatness does not confer freedom on any individual. It is compulsory that the Christian minister or believer be free, if he is going to be a true agent of salvation and deliverance to other people. It is when the pastor is free that the people under his care can be free. If the head is not free, the followers are going to have the same problem. But when we are free, the Lord will be able to release us to do His will. Because Moses was free, he was able to execute God’s programme for the children of Israel. He led the nation out of Egyptian bondage through miracles, signs and wonders. Without total freedom, whatever successes we have will be short-lived. Therefore, everyone must strive to be truly free to be able to excel for the Lord.

Christ came to set mankind free from the burden and bondage of sin. His whole life and ministry were devoted to setting men free from the captivity to sin, self, sickness and Satan. If there is any form of freedom that men ought to pursue and possess, it is freedom from sin. “Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee” (John 5:14).
Further Reading (King James Version): John 5:14; 8:11; 1 John 3:8,9; 5:18. 1 Chronicles 21:1; Zechariah 3:3,4; 3:1; Luke 22:31. Acts 8:21-23; Ezekiel 25:15.

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