Captivity of Sin

Captivity of Sin 
Passion for Liberty
Terry R. Baughman

“The creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Romans 8:21 NKJ.

The ability to do what you want is often equated to liberty. There is a certain freedom that comes with maturity and allows us to make our own decisions, however with that freedom also comes responsibility. We can go where we want, but we have to put fuel in the car. We can drive where we want, but there are rules for the road and consequences if we break the law. We can eat whatever we want, but it may make us sick or we may not be able to afford the meals we crave. So, for every liberty we are given, there is the equal weight of responsibility. 

The condition of humanity is that we were born into a world of corruption. Though we grow into maturity, part of that growth is an awareness that our actions have consequence and life is full of disappointments, pain, and limitations imposed upon our personal freedoms. Those who embrace liberty and cast off all restraints find themselves in increasing bondage. The more freedoms are abused the more constriction of personal liberty is experienced. 

Paul talked about the “bondage of corruption” that we resist. It is the condition of every individual born into a world of depravity. All of creation was affected by the disobedience in the Garden of Eden. Humanity’s sin produced far-reaching ramifications throughout the generations and its effects were revealed in nature. Thorns and thistles grew. Weeds choked out produce, and pests proliferated causing disease and death to thwart healthy growth. He said, “Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay” (Romans 8:20–21 NLT).

Captivity indicates we have lost liberty rather than gained freedoms. When we are held captive there is bondage, limitation, and subjugation. We are not free in the condition of sin any more than the earth is free of sin’s curse. Those who tout their freedom and persist in sin are simply deceived. Peter spoke of those when he wrote, “They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With an appeal to twisted sexual desires, they lure back into sin those who have barely escaped from a lifestyle of deception. They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you” (2 Peter 2:18–19 NLT). 

The good news is that Jesus came, “to proclaim liberty to the captives” (Luke 4:18 NKJ). He saw us in our bondage and came to us in our affliction. He speaks freedom and release from the things that have robbed our freedom. When Jesus sets us free from sin we are truly free!

The release we have experienced in our spiritual relationship with Christ shall be revealed in eternity future as we cast off the works of darkness and embrace the light that brings true liberty in Him. 
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Theme passage:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18 NKJ).