Being Made Free from Sin
The Sapphire Review Vol. 2 | No. 41 • August 29, 2025
But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Romans 6:22, KJV
A BIRD ENSNARED
Earlier this year, I was doing work for one of my customers. As they had already moved out and to another city, this home was largely empty throughout, other than the things that I had brought with me for the work I was doing.
At one point during the day, I was walking through their garage to get to my service van for some additional supplies. As I was walking, I heard the sounds of a bird in great distress. As I surveyed the empty garage, I noticed a sticky trap that the homeowner had left behind for catching rodents.
Fastened to this trap was a bird. This little creature found itself unable to set itself free, though it tried with all its might. Its brief flutters, convulsions, and chirps were followed by periods of rest and silence, as if to gather its dwindling strength for one more surge that might be the very one to launch it into freedom from its prison. I wondered if the little bird knew that its efforts were all in vain. Its attempts to free itself were hopeless. It had only death to wait for, that is unless someone greater than itself reached down and delivered it.
As I approached the bird, it struggled in fear and put forth greater efforts than before to free itself. It did not yet know that I had only compassion toward it, and that my heart was set only upon doing that which it could not do for itself.... giving it deliverance from its bondage.
As gently and carefully as I could, I worked to free this little bird. At this point it submitted to what I was doing, but I’m sure the discomfort of being pulled away from the glue that bound it could still be felt upon its small frame.
Finally, the work was done, and the bird was released. With a few chirps of seeming thanksgiving, it took off and left me pondering the object lesson from this circumstance.
OBJECT LESSON
As I replayed these things in my mind, I thought back to the years of my own life and how I, like this bird, was once bound in a prison from which I could not free myself.
There was a period in my life when Christ, by His spirit, began to open my eyes to my sin. I began to despise this taskmaster of sin and the fruit which it brought forth in my life.1 I struggled and fought, yet seemed only to sink deeper into the mire. All was hopeless, and my efforts were in vain. I would only have had death to wait for, if not for Christ my blessed Redeemer!
In my desperation, I reached a place of surrender, and the grace of God was poured out upon me. In compassion, my Savior reached down into my life did what I was powerless to do for myself. He forgave me, cleansed me, and delivered me from the power of sin.
I recall how some of the years were marked with great pain, sorrow, and suffering, yet I knew the presence of the Almighty was near. I had many evidences of that. I see now that it was His hand of compassion, working in my life to do that which was best for me, though I could not see it at the time. However, once freedom came, joy abounded, and gratitude filled my heart.2 How great, merciful, loving, and compassionate is our Creator!3
All glory to Jehovah, our God and Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ. For when we were yet without strength, Christ died for us,4 and by His grace, we can overcome all sin.
“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11, KJV)
God Bless,
Charles
