One Master!


“Some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.”

Galatians 2:4-5

When we think of slavery in America we are reminded of African tribal wars, slave traders, vastly overcrowded boats, and Southern plantations. We also think about the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation. We do not think of spies. I can’t remember hearing about the use of spies to promote slavery.

The Bible says that there can be spies in the Church who have the purpose of taking away our freedom and making us into slaves. How do you recognize a spy? If you do, then they are no longer a spy! Spy’s who are recognized are unable to do their work.

When my father was a boy there was no such thing as a driver’s license. If your legs were long enough to reach the pedals you could drive a car. His great grandson who bears his name wishes that were still the case. The freedom for anyone to drive is now limited by a law. The law says you must qualify for a driver’s license if you want to drive a car. The law limits freedom.

Spies in the Church bring laws that take away freedom. Paul said that giving in to those laws compromises the “truth of the Gospel.” He said he did not give in to them.

What’s the harm in a few laws brought by spies? The harm is that we become slaves of those laws. Slaves are only effective servants for their own master.

If you are a slave of Jesus you are truly free. If you are a slave of the laws brought by spies you cannot be a slave of Jesus. Slaves have only one master!