Luke 1:74-75

DELIVERANCE AND SERVICE

‘That He would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.’

Luke 1:74

This promise is meant for us, and is to last all our life. God has sworn to give this blessing to those who have been delivered out of the hand of their enemies. Who are our enemies? I would sum them up under the five titles of sin, the flesh, the world, the devil, and death.

I. Sin.—Sin is an enemy. Sin is illustrated by Egypt in its old power over Israel, and holds us in bondage as a taskmaster holds his slaves, so that we cannot have our own way. The Lord Jesus gives us deliverance from the hand of this enemy, exactly as God gave Israel deliverance from the hand of the Egyptians.

II. The flesh.—The flesh is distinct from sin, because it is a part of our very nature. Sin is a taskmaster ruling over us; the flesh is an evil principle working in every man by nature. It is the flesh which makes us ready to yield to the claims of sin, the taskmaster, even when we are children of God. ‘Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.’

III. The world.—The world presents its temptations in two separate forms, either alluring or attacking. In each case we are delivered from the hand of the world by virtue of the death of Christ. The power of Christ’s work will only operate for our benefit as we, moment by moment, exercise faith. ‘This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.’

IV. The devil.—There are demons at work the world over, but the Lord Jesus was revealed that He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and if we trust in His strength we shall find that the devil cannot prevail.

V. Death.—There are men who all their lifetime are in bondage for fear of death. Christ Jesus died to set us free from this enemy also, and there is now for us no sting in death. ‘Thanks be to God, Who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’

What is the outcome of this deliverance? Service—‘that we … might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life.’

—Rev. Prebendary Webb-Peploe.

Illustration

‘A Scotchman was said to be very godly and earnest. The question was asked by a stranger in the place if this man were as good as he was described—as much out and out for God. The answer was, “Well, I think he is straight enough toward God, but he is a wee bit twistical toward men.” A great many Christians appear to be all right on Sunday toward God, but from Monday to Saturday are very apt to play “twistical” tricks toward men.’