Hello friends,
Today, let’s explore this subtle way in which the devil uses to enslave all men:
“…and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.”
Hebrews 2:15
This verse starts in the middle of a longer sentence. Let’s review the whole sentence to understand the full context:
“Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.”
Hebrews 2:14-15
Throughout chapter two, the author has been focusing on Christ’s supremacy over angels and men. The author explains that Jesus was placed for a little while lower than the angels so that He could experience what we experience.
“But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels—Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.”
Hebrews 2:9
The author later expounds on this, stating that Jesus was tested in all ways, except without sin. This is how Christ took on the form and likeness of men and took on the lowest position, which led to His death on the cross.
“…but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a slave, being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Philippians 2:7-8
Finally, the author shows us how all of this led up to Christ’s death on the cross. The scripture identifies death as the instrument that the devil uses to enslave men.
And this is the one fear that is in all men. We all fear death. This is evident from our reactions towards death. As human beings, we will do anything we can to preserve our lives and escape death. This desire for life is at the very core of our being to the point that a man would be willing to take someone else’s life to preserve his own.
The way by which the devil enslaves us through the fear of death is by tempting us to sin. Sin enslaves us. Jesus even goes as far as to say that if one sins, then they are a slave to that sin.
“Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.’”
John 8:34
Because of this, the devil uses this fear that we all possess to enslave us. In the name of self-preservation, men will go to great lengths to avoid death, even if it means ignoring God altogether.
It is because of this that Jesus’ death on the cross is so paradoxical. Instead of focusing on self, here is Jesus expressing His love for those who would believe in Him by dying in their place.
“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”
John 15:13
Christ’s death on the cross is meant to set free all those who will believe in His name. This is the truth that sets people free from the fear of death.
“…and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
John 8:32
This is why the truth of Jesus’ death on the cross liberating us is so amazing. He took our place so that we would come to a place of not fearing death. The result of this freedom is that sin does not master over us anymore; we can overcome it instead of being enslaved by it.
“For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”
Romans 6:14
In this newfound freedom, we are no longer slaves to sin but slaves to righteousness, as we have become the righteousness of God in Christ:
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:21
Let’s reflect on these truths:
- Sin leads to slavery.
- The devil inclines us to sin by the fear of death.
- Repentance and faith in Christ set us free from this fear of death and incline us to righteousness.
I pray we can be comforted by the knowledge that we have been set free from sin and the fear of death in Christ. We have a powerful Lord who has expressed His love to us who believe by dying in our place to set us free from the law of sin and death.
Blessings,
Paul
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