Our Daily Bread Military EditionНамуна
Jesus Sets Us Free
Perhaps no one since the apostle Paul has written more graphically about the experience of spiritual bondage than the great theologian Augustine (ad 354–430). Although blessed with extraordinary intelligence, in his younger years he had wallowed in deep depravity.
Looking back, Augustine gave this account of his struggle: “I was bound by the iron chain of my own will. I was rather an unwilling sufferer than a willing actor. And yet it was through me that habit had become an armed enemy against me, because I had willingly come to be what I unwillingly found myself to be.”
Many of us have gone through a similar struggle. We wanted deliverance from sin yet found ourselves unable to shake off the chains of habit. Then, as we turned in faith to Jesus, we were liberated and could repeat the words of Charles Wesley’s hymn: “Long my imprisoned spirit lay fast bound in sin and nature’s night. Thine eye diffused a quickening ray, I woke— the dungeon flamed with light! My chains fell off, my heart was free; I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.”
Jesus alone can break the shackles of sin in your life. Receive Him as your Savior, and “the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). —Vernon Grounds
Out of my bondage, sorrow, and night,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy freedom, gladness, and light,
Jesus, I come to Thee. —Sleeper
True freedom is found in serving Christ.
Perhaps no one since the apostle Paul has written more graphically about the experience of spiritual bondage than the great theologian Augustine (ad 354–430). Although blessed with extraordinary intelligence, in his younger years he had wallowed in deep depravity.
Looking back, Augustine gave this account of his struggle: “I was bound by the iron chain of my own will. I was rather an unwilling sufferer than a willing actor. And yet it was through me that habit had become an armed enemy against me, because I had willingly come to be what I unwillingly found myself to be.”
Many of us have gone through a similar struggle. We wanted deliverance from sin yet found ourselves unable to shake off the chains of habit. Then, as we turned in faith to Jesus, we were liberated and could repeat the words of Charles Wesley’s hymn: “Long my imprisoned spirit lay fast bound in sin and nature’s night. Thine eye diffused a quickening ray, I woke— the dungeon flamed with light! My chains fell off, my heart was free; I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.”
Jesus alone can break the shackles of sin in your life. Receive Him as your Savior, and “the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). —Vernon Grounds
Out of my bondage, sorrow, and night,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy freedom, gladness, and light,
Jesus, I come to Thee. —Sleeper
True freedom is found in serving Christ.
Scripture
About this Plan
This special military edition of Our Daily Bread will take a look at some of life’s biggest questions. It is our prayer that you will turn to God’s Word to learn more about His Son Jesus. In Him we find real hope and meaning for life. We find a mission bigger than ourselves.
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We would like to thank Our Daily Bread for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: www.odb.org/app