I heard an old gospel hymn yesterday and there was one line that caught my attention. Jesus, the glorious Emancipator.[i] That single line brought such hope and joy to my soul in that moment. It was amazing!

I suspect the true meaning of that term really hit me. I live as a free woman. A free woman in Jesus Christ. Without the freedom I have through Him, nothing else would really matter.

Physically, I’ve never been a slave. But spiritually, I have been held in bondage by sin and it’s from that bondage that Jesus has set me free. Yes, Jesus is the glorious Emancipator!

This hymn reminds us of all that Jesus freed us from.

Freedom from all the carnal affections,

Freedom from envy, hatred and strife;

Freedom from vain and worldly ambitions,

Freedom from all that saddened my life.

Freedom from pride and all sinful follies,

Freedom from love and glitter of gold;

Freedom from evil, temper and anger,

Glorious freedom, rapture untold.

Freedom from fear with all of its torments,

Freedom from care with all of its pain;

Freedom in Christ, my blessed Redeemer,

He who has rent my fetters in twain.

Some of these words may seem unusual to us in our world today, but we as Christians, know exactly what they means. Freedom through Jesus, the glorious Emancipator.

Jesus Himself spoke very similar words to the lyrics of this song in John chapter 8. Let’s see what He had to say. “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31b-32 – NIV)

Yes, freedom comes from Jesus, but from His own words we see that we need to be doing something. We are to hold to His teaching. Learn it. Know it. Live it. Be it.

We also see from this passage that it is truth that sets us free. Jesus’ truth.

It seems very simple, but when I read the words of the old hymn mentioned earlier, I can see where I still may be held in bondage. Perhaps there are still some critical pieces that need work. Somebody, please throw me a file!

Someone is willing to help me escape from the bondage of sin. That someone is Jesus.

The good news for all of us is that He can be the glorious Emancipator for each of us. Not just a chosen few or the select. But all. Even the vilest offender in Jesus’ arms is free from the bondage of sin.

Are you burdened with sin? Are you held in the bondage of sin? Do you wish to be free from it all? If so, I can introduce you to the glorious Emancipator. His truth and freedom exceeds all you could ever imagine.

Once I was bound by sin’s galling fetters,

Chained like a slave, I struggled in vain;

But I received a glorious freedom,

When Jesus broke my fetters in twain.

Refrain:

Glorious freedom, wonderful freedom,

No more in chains of sin I repine!

Jesus the glorious Emancipator,

Now and forever He shall be mine.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna