Freed from Bondage

"Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." Hebrews 2:14-15 A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens tells the story of a man (Dr. Manette) who was locked away in a tower for most of his life, losing nearly all of his mental capacity. As he lost his mind Dr. Manette made shoes to pass the time. In the book he is freed from prison and restored to his daughter, Lucie. Slowly, carefully, he is nursed back to health. However, even recovered, traumas cause him to retreat to the prison of his mind and he begins to make shoes again. Such is the life of the believer. We are free forever from the fear of death and the power of sin; yet, we can easily return to the prison patterns that we develop apart from the freedom of the Lord. However, just as Lucie could always pull Dr. Manette back, so looking to Christ alone can draw us back from our old "prison patterns."