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freed for slavery
"Never have we been slaves to anyone. What do You mean by saying, 'You will be free'?" —John 8:33
Jesus said: "I give you My assurance, everyone who lives in sin is the slave of sin" (Jn 8:34). Everyone who sins is a slave. Even everyone in debt is a slave, for "the borrower is the slave of the lender" (Prv 22:7). Therefore, the world is full of slaves.
However, slaves can be freed from slavery to sin and the world by offering themselves to Christ to become slaves of justice (Rm 6:18). "That is why, if the Son frees you, you will really be free" (Jn 8:36).
It is impossible for human beings to be freed from slavery, but we can be freed from the slavery of impurity, licentiousness, and degradation (Rm 6:19), and for the slavery of justice and sanctification, which leads to eternal life (Rm 6:19, 22).
Whose slave will you be? Slavery is degrading, dehumanizing, and self-destructive. But there is one exception to this. Slavery to Jesus is upbuilding, divinizing (see 2 Pt 1:4), and glorifying. Be freed for slavery. "Be slaves of Christ the Lord" (Col 3:24).
Prayer: Father, may I believe in You, abide in Your word, be a disciple of Jesus, know the truth, and then be free (Jn 8:31-32) to be Your slave.
Promise: "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Who sent His angel to deliver the servants that trusted in Him; they disobeyed the royal command and yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God." —Dn 3:95
Praise: Laura dedicated herself to Jesus through Mary. She wears a chain to remind herself that she has become Jesus' slave (see Col 3:24).
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, July 23, 1998
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 27, 1998