Destitute of truth.

Freedom.

Every single mentally capable human being today can be free.

A bold statement and a true one. The only thing in question is- what is my idea of freedom that makes this true?

Surely there are people enslaved all over the world in places we'd never dream of slavery existing. White slavery, black slavery, Hispanic, Latino, Asian, European, you name a single race and there are slaves among that people. Just the other day another *sex slavery ring* was busted, so yes, slavery does exist and it's not only for manual labor, but sexual labor, perverted labors, you name it.

Some people say they are a slave to their job and they mean it, why wouldn't they? They're not able to do what they please but rather are figuratively chained to their desk or whatever it is they do, chained to their occupation because to stop would me hardship- great hardship. They might be free to become homeless and destitute but the other alternative is slavery to their job.

Yes, you can say anyone can quit their job and get another one. They can go to school and start over. They can do this, they can do that, no one has to be a slave to their job. Well, I say they can be. I say you can be without a job, you can live so you don't have to answer to a single other human being, you can do as you please come and go at will without anyone telling you what to do or where to go and you'll still be a slave.

Wait, wasn't this about that bold statement I made, 'Every single mentally capable human being today can be free.'? Here I am practically saying we're all slaves so which is it? Both? Neither? Some where in between?

We're all slaves to sin, and we're all free in Christ.

Truth.

Even those literally enslaved by masters can be free in Christ. Freedom in Christ with a hope of eternal life. Easy for me to say because I'm not the one being tortured, I'm not the one who has to bend to the will of another human being day in and day out living a life of pure agony? Probably. It has to be a lot harder for one enduring hardship to rise above it simply because the one not enduring it is already above it. Bold words, freedom for all, but true words.

Here Paul is instructing the people-


1 Timothy

6:1} Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

Count their masters worthy of all honor? What if they're animals, torturers, inhuman in their defiling, demeaning, degrading treatment of said servant? Love thy neighbor, do good....

Luke
{6:27} But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
{6:28} Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
{6:29} And unto him that smiteth thee on the [one] cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not [to take thy] coat also. {6:30} Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask [them] not again.
{6:31} And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
{6:32} For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
{6:33} And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
{6:34} And if ye lend [to them] of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
{6:35} But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and [to] the evil.
{6:36} Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
{6:37} Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
{6:38} Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

*

1 Timothy
{6:2} And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
{6:3} If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
{6:4} He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
{6:5} Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
{6:6} But godliness with contentment is great gain.
{6:7} For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

{6:8} And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
{6:9} But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
{6:10} For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
{6:11} But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
{6:12} Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

'destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness'

Destitute of truth.

If we believe that living a life of physical freedom, materialistic possessions, of counting ourselves blessed simply because we have surrounded ourselves by possessions- we are so far off the mark it's not funny.

We are richer than the richest man in the world who has the greatest monetary wealth if we have the truth, and it is a richness we only increase by giving it away. The truth is ours to give. The truth is ours to share. We can be rich in the only way it really matters because as the Bible says--

{6:7} For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

Nothing.

May God help us to fully realize that the greatest riches we could have are those that cost nothing and are only increased when we give them away endlessly.

We are free in Christ, free in the truth, free no matter our earthly bonds, no matter what shape or form they take our freedom is in Christ now and always.

{6:12} Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life

Praise God for His love, for His mercy and truth, His grace and goodness, in Christ Jesus' name.

Amen.