EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION

            The Emancipation Proclamation was the document that gave freedom to the slaves in the United States. There is another Emancipation Proclamation in the Word of God that gave freedom to a multiplied number that no man can number out of every language, tribe, tongue and nation. The biblical Emancipation Proclamation gave freedom from a tyranny far greater, and far crueler, than any in the human race could devise.

            In John eight Jesus told the Jews that believed on Him, “If ye abide in My word, then are ye truly My disciples; and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”

            They answered Him, ”We are Abraham’s seed and have never been in bondage to any; how sayest Thou, Ye shall be made free?”

            Jesus told them, “Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin. And the bondservant abideth not in the house forever: the Son abideth forever. If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” This is the Emancipation Proclamation of the Lord Jesus Christ.

            In the Emancipation Proclamation of Lincoln, there were some slaves who were used as cooks and domestic slaves in the house of the master, and had no desire to be free. The responsibility of making a living on their own was greater than being free.

            In a similar way there are many Christians who are not ready to assume the challenge of freedom and prefer the slavery of their old master the Devil, and continue to submit to the practice of drugs, immorality, and drunkenness.

            That is why Jesus said the bondservant lives not in the house forever, but the Son abideth forever. The slaves in the days of Lincoln must have known they might not abide in the masters house forever; they could be sold off at any time. The bondservant who continues to serve old master Devil in the house of God may be sold off at the Judgment Day.

            The price of freedom was high in both Emancipation Proclamations. More people died to bring freedom to the slaves in the War Between the States, than died in the Revolution, World War One, World War Two, and all the other wars our nation has fought. The price in the war for our freedom from sin was even greater. When Jesus died on the cross, it was not the death of one man. He felt the fear and the guilt of every dying sinner since Adam and Eve. The word of God declares that Jesus tasted of death once for every man.

            So as we eat the loaf and drink the cup, remember this act is a reminder of our Emancipation Proclamation. Free at last, free at last, Thank God Almighty free at last!