4/5/25

Everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin ~Jesus.

Everyone who is a sinner becomes imprisoned by sin unto death.

There is only one key out of this prison and it is Jesus. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that we should pray for those who are imprisoned by sin to death that they might find the key to freedom, righteousness, and God the Father.

Hebrews 13:3 NASB95 Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.

Even Christians who have been freed by Jesus from death are still in the body of flesh. Meaning we still know the temptation of sin. We have an understanding of what it was like to once be a slave to the master known as sin.

I am thankful that no created thing can separate me from the love found in Christ and that as I am in the Father's hand, no one can pluck me out. I never have to worry about being enslaved by sin unto death. I have been given life everlasting. Yet I have loved ones, friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and strangers who right now are imprisoned because they have not placed their faith in Jesus. The writer of Hebrews reminds us to remember them, and those who are freed from death but have surrendered their righteousness to live back in sin for a time.

Then he tells us how to remember them and this is the point of this devo. Remember (pray for, and witness to) them as though you yourself were still imprisoned through sin unto death.

Let's start with remember (pray for), as though you are imprisoned with them. Knowing now the freedom of Christ, how would you pray for yourself if you knew tonight you would give into death to be in everlasting hell? Knowing that you would never escape the lake of fire and the everlasting torment if you didn't find Christ before the morning came, how would you pray? Would tears be falling from your eyes? Would your heart be broken? Would your stomach be in knots? Would you sweat great drops as if blood coming from your pores? Would you beg with all your might that salvation would come upon you right now? Would you be able to sleep knowing what waited for you without Christ?

I feel like all of these and more would be the case! Well, the writer of Hebrews says to remember (pray for) those who are imprisoned to sin in the same way. Put yourself in their position and then pray in their place. Do we do this?

Now let's look at, remember (witness to).

Knowing now the freedom of Christ, how would you desire someone to go about being a witness of Christ to you if you knew tomorrow that without Christ, hell would be your eternity? Would you want them to love you, be bold to you, and consistently share Jesus with you? Would you want them to beg you to give your life to Christ? Would you want them to share their testimony of Christ's freedom they received? Would you want them to live their life showing Christ to you every time you see them? Would you want them to be dedicated to the worship and service of the Lord? Would you, most importantly, desire them to share the Gospel of Jesus with you? Would you want them to share scripture with you? I feel like all of these and more would be the cases! Well, the writer of Hebrews says to remember (witness to) those who are imprisoned to sin in the same way. Put yourself in their position and then witness to them as you would want to be witnessed to if your eternity was on the line. Do we do this?

Our prayer life and our witness life would be different if we were praying for and witnessing to ourselves with our eternity on the line. We need, we must put ourselves in their place because our Savior put Himself in ours on the cross!

Will your remembrance of those enslaved to sin change?

Praying it will.

Love Bro. Scott