On June 19, 1865, federal troops rode into Galveston, Texas to proclaim freedom for the slaves. It was two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed, but they hadn’t heard, didn’t know they had been freed.
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:32 NIV
It took time for those former slaves to fully live in freedom. A very long time, because they were still treated as slaves and barred from the opportunities of freedom.
They were free, but slavery was not done with them. There was still a struggle.
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Jesus set me free from sin and death. But there is still a struggle. I am free, but slavery is not done with me. The Apostle Paul writes of this!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law,
but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
Romans 7:25b NIV
Yet,
If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
John 8:36 NIV
Free indeed, despite the struggles.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
Stand firm, then,
and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1 NIV
Perhaps it is in that very struggle that I learn to stand firm in my God-given freedom. I don’t have to be burdened by the yoke of slavery. I am free. Because of Jesus Christ.
And that is the truth.