Sin Is No Longer Your Master - Tim Keller

You know, at least the Greek version of You know, at least the Greek version of the word redemption originally meant to the word redemption originally meant to the word redemption originally meant to to loose. Redemption means to be to loose. Redemption means to be to loose. Redemption means to be released from bondage. And at the very released from bondage. And at the very released from bondage. And at the very heart of our understanding, what heart of our understanding, what heart of our understanding, what salvation is all about is released from salvation is all about is released from salvation is all about is released from bondage. bondage. bondage. The Israelites are a picture of us. They The Israelites are a picture of us. They The Israelites are a picture of us. They were in bondage. But this bondage has were in bondage. But this bondage has were in bondage. But this bondage has layers. layers. layers. They got out of bondage. See that? And They got out of bondage. See that? And They got out of bondage. See that? And yet, even though they were out of yet, even though they were out of yet, even though they were out of bondage, I mean, they were let go. They bondage, I mean, they were let go. They bondage, I mean, they were let go. They were freed. see official word this get were freed. see official word this get were freed. see official word this get out you're freed and then the slave out you're freed and then the slave out you're freed and then the slave masters said no we want to we want you masters said no we want to we want you masters said no we want to we want you back and what's interesting of course is back and what's interesting of course is back and what's interesting of course is that not only were they objectively free that not only were they objectively free that not only were they objectively free from uh the uh bondage and yet now the from uh the uh bondage and yet now the from uh the uh bondage and yet now the bondage the old slave masters want them bondage the old slave masters want them bondage the old slave masters want them back but inside subjectively in their back but inside subjectively in their back but inside subjectively in their heart they're not free they're still heart they're not free they're still heart they're not free they're still slaves you know you can you can take the slaves you know you can you can take the slaves you know you can you can take the people out of slavery but you can't take people out of slavery but you can't take people out of slavery but you can't take the slavery out of the people very the slavery out of the people very the slavery out of the people very easily and this is something we see all easily and this is something we see all easily and this is something we see all through the Bible which is that the through the Bible which is that the through the Bible which is that the redemption of Jesus uh the redemption of redemption of Jesus uh the redemption of redemption of Jesus uh the redemption of God is to redeem us from bondage but God is to redeem us from bondage but God is to redeem us from bondage but there are layers to it let me give you there are layers to it let me give you there are layers to it let me give you four just quickly first of all there four just quickly first of all there four just quickly first of all there according this is Paul of course uh according this is Paul of course uh according this is Paul of course uh Christian salvation our salvation means Christian salvation our salvation means Christian salvation our salvation means we're freed from the law objectively we we're freed from the law objectively we we're freed from the law objectively we were in bondage to the law objectively were in bondage to the law objectively were in bondage to the law objectively we were under guilt we were under we were under guilt we were under we were under guilt we were under condemnation but through Jesus we get condemnation but through Jesus we get condemnation but through Jesus we get out what do you mean under condemnation out what do you mean under condemnation out what do you mean under condemnation it means that we have sinned. We don't it means that we have sinned. We don't it means that we have sinned. We don't love God with our all our heart, soul, love God with our all our heart, soul, love God with our all our heart, soul, strength, and mind. We don't love our strength, and mind. We don't love our strength, and mind. We don't love our neighbor as ourselves. And uh we're

neighbor as ourselves. And uh we're neighbor as ourselves. And uh we're under God's wrath. What's his wrath? under God's wrath. What's his wrath? under God's wrath. What's his wrath? Well, God's wrath is his settled Well, God's wrath is his settled Well, God's wrath is his settled judicial opposition to evil and to sin. judicial opposition to evil and to sin. judicial opposition to evil and to sin. And that's on us. It's it's an objective And that's on us. It's it's an objective And that's on us. It's it's an objective guilt. It's an objective wrath. And guilt. It's an objective wrath. And guilt. It's an objective wrath. And we're in bondage to it. We were under we're in bondage to it. We were under we're in bondage to it. We were under the law, but through Jesus, we get out. the law, but through Jesus, we get out. the law, but through Jesus, we get out. And uh there's no condemnation for those And uh there's no condemnation for those And uh there's no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. And we're no who are in Christ Jesus. And we're no who are in Christ Jesus. And we're no longer under law, we're under grace. So longer under law, we're under grace. So longer under law, we're under grace. So that's an objective thing. Ah but that's an objective thing. Ah but that's an objective thing. Ah but there's layers here because secondly, there's layers here because secondly, there's layers here because secondly, there's also bondage to the law there's also bondage to the law there's also bondage to the law subjectively. subjectively. subjectively. The whole book of Galatians is about The whole book of Galatians is about The whole book of Galatians is about people who from what we can tell uh were people who from what we can tell uh were people who from what we can tell uh were objectively freed from guilt. They seem objectively freed from guilt. They seem objectively freed from guilt. They seem to have really uh believed and yet they to have really uh believed and yet they to have really uh believed and yet they were going back into a form of works were going back into a form of works were going back into a form of works righteousness. and and um I'll tell you righteousness. and and um I'll tell you righteousness. and and um I'll tell you why this is. I think this is a bit of a why this is. I think this is a bit of a why this is. I think this is a bit of a a bit of a speculation, but as a pastor a bit of a speculation, but as a pastor a bit of a speculation, but as a pastor over the years and just as a human over the years and just as a human over the years and just as a human being, uh I think deep down inside, being, uh I think deep down inside, being, uh I think deep down inside, maybe it's because of the image of God.

maybe it's because of the image of God. maybe it's because of the image of God. I think deep down inside everybody knows I think deep down inside everybody knows I think deep down inside everybody knows they should be perfect. they should be perfect. they should be perfect. We all know we should be perfect. Now We all know we should be perfect. Now We all know we should be perfect. Now parenting can do something with this parenting can do something with this parenting can do something with this this uh basic this this this this basic this uh basic this this this this basic this uh basic this this this this basic intuition. Uh some parents aggravated by intuition. Uh some parents aggravated by intuition. Uh some parents aggravated by being very very cruel by being being very very cruel by being being very very cruel by being impossible to please by being very very impossible to please by being very very impossible to please by being very very or maybe ne you know maybe abusive and or maybe ne you know maybe abusive and or maybe ne you know maybe abusive and uh that that natural belief that we all uh that that natural belief that we all uh that that natural belief that we all have that we really ought to be perfect have that we really ought to be perfect have that we really ought to be perfect gets aggravated to the place where some gets aggravated to the place where some gets aggravated to the place where some kids grow up needing to prove themselves kids grow up needing to prove themselves kids grow up needing to prove themselves uh hating themselves. Now, there's uh hating themselves. Now, there's uh hating themselves. Now, there's another kind of bad parenting, which is another kind of bad parenting, which is another kind of bad parenting, which is I'll call it self-esteemism, I'll call it self-esteemism, I'll call it self-esteemism, and that's where you just tell your and that's where you just tell your and that's where you just tell your child over and over again because you child over and over again because you child over and over again because you you watch popular uh you know, you buy you watch popular uh you know, you buy you watch popular uh you know, you buy popular culture, and you're supposed to popular culture, and you're supposed to popular culture, and you're supposed to tell your children, "You can do anything tell your children, "You can do anything tell your children, "You can do anything you want. You can be anyone you want." you want. You can be anyone you want." you want. You can be anyone you want." Okay. Yeah. Uh-huh. I'm 23 years old. Okay. Yeah. Uh-huh. I'm 23 years old. Okay. Yeah. Uh-huh. I'm 23 years old. I'm 5 foot three. I'm 125 pounds. And if I'm 5 foot three. I'm 125 pounds. And if I'm 5 foot three. I'm 125 pounds. And if you want to be an NFL linebacker, you you want to be an NFL linebacker, you you want to be an NFL linebacker, you just have to go for it. uh with all you just have to go for it. uh with all you just have to go for it. uh with all you got because you see you have to you have got because you see you have to you have got because you see you have to you have to climb every mountain, ford every to climb every mountain, ford every to climb every mountain, ford every stream, stream, stream, follow every rainbow and that's the follow every rainbow and that's the follow every rainbow and that's the whole and and when you do that to kids, whole and and when you do that to kids, whole and and when you do that to kids, they do grow up feeling like with with they do grow up feeling like with with they do grow up feeling like with with this incredible sense of entitlement this incredible sense of entitlement this incredible sense of entitlement um and seemingly impossible to make it um and seemingly impossible to make it um and seemingly impossible to make it almost seems impossible to make them almost seems impossible to make them almost seems impossible to make them feel ashamed or guilty for anything.

feel ashamed or guilty for anything. feel ashamed or guilty for anything. Yet, I don't believe you can put out Yet, I don't believe you can put out Yet, I don't believe you can put out what all human beings know, and that is what all human beings know, and that is what all human beings know, and that is uh that we should be perfect, that we we uh that we should be perfect, that we we uh that we should be perfect, that we we should love God, that we should love our should love God, that we should love our should love God, that we should love our neighbor. Uh when I've watched people, neighbor. Uh when I've watched people, neighbor. Uh when I've watched people, no matter who they are, no matter how no matter who they are, no matter how no matter who they are, no matter how they've been parented, if you have a they've been parented, if you have a they've been parented, if you have a chance as a pastor to sit with somebody chance as a pastor to sit with somebody chance as a pastor to sit with somebody who's dying and they start to open up to who's dying and they start to open up to who's dying and they start to open up to you, it's like, you know, when a boat you, it's like, you know, when a boat you, it's like, you know, when a boat goes out at night to sea and watches the goes out at night to sea and watches the goes out at night to sea and watches the lights go out slowly. As you get further lights go out slowly. As you get further lights go out slowly. As you get further away, the lights go out until there's away, the lights go out until there's away, the lights go out until there's maybe one or two bright ones. And then maybe one or two bright ones. And then maybe one or two bright ones. And then almost the last light that goes out is a almost the last light that goes out is a almost the last light that goes out is a sense of regret. The sense that I sense of regret. The sense that I sense of regret. The sense that I haven't lived the life I should have haven't lived the life I should have haven't lived the life I should have lived. We all know deep down we should lived. We all know deep down we should lived. We all know deep down we should be perfect. And I want you to know that be perfect. And I want you to know that be perfect. And I want you to know that just being told a couple times, now that just being told a couple times, now that just being told a couple times, now that you believe in Jesus Christ, all your you believe in Jesus Christ, all your you believe in Jesus Christ, all your sins are forgiven. There's no sins are forgiven. There's no sins are forgiven. There's no condemnation for you. You are accepted. condemnation for you. You are accepted. condemnation for you. You are accepted. That doesn't put that out. We go right That doesn't put that out. We go right That doesn't put that out. We go right back to works righteousness. Uh it's back to works righteousness. Uh it's back to works righteousness. Uh it's just it's just the natural default mode just it's just the natural default mode just it's just the natural default mode of the human heart. And we stay in of the human heart. And we stay in of the human heart. And we stay in bondage. we stay in bondage to the law bondage. we stay in bondage to the law bondage. we stay in bondage to the law subjectively even if we're not actually subjectively even if we're not actually subjectively even if we're not actually in bondage to the law anymore in bondage to the law anymore in bondage to the law anymore objectively because we've believed and objectively because we've believed and objectively because we've believed and and and and we have uh you know we've and and and we have uh you know we've and and and we have uh you know we've become Christians but let me give you become Christians but let me give you become Christians but let me give you another layer there's the bondage I another layer there's the bondage I another layer there's the bondage I guess to your sin nature Paul talks guess to your sin nature Paul talks guess to your sin nature Paul talks about this I certainly in Romans 6:14 about this I certainly in Romans 6:14 about this I certainly in Romans 6:14 and 15 when he says you're no longer and 15 when he says you're no longer and 15 when he says you're no longer under law but but don't sin it's very under law but but don't sin it's very under law but but don't sin it's very possible to not be under the law meaning possible to not be under the law meaning possible to not be under the law meaning your objective guilt's taken away you

your objective guilt's taken away you your objective guilt's taken away you know you're you're free from the know you're you're free from the know you're you're free from the objective uh you're free from the law objective uh you're free from the law objective uh you're free from the law objectively but uh Paul says it's very objectively but uh Paul says it's very objectively but uh Paul says it's very possible to still be a slave to sin and possible to still be a slave to sin and possible to still be a slave to sin and and he says don't be a slave to sin why and he says don't be a slave to sin why and he says don't be a slave to sin why uh you know WGT shed with two D's he's uh you know WGT shed with two D's he's uh you know WGT shed with two D's he's not very well known he ought to be well not very well known he ought to be well not very well known he ought to be well known he's a reformed theologian the known he's a reformed theologian the known he's a reformed theologian the 19th century American reformed 19th century American reformed 19th century American reformed theologian um some of he's I think theologian um some of he's I think theologian um some of he's I think they're still in print a couple volumes they're still in print a couple volumes they're still in print a couple volumes of his sermons he was a systematic of his sermons he was a systematic of his sermons he was a systematic theologian but he's got a set of sermons theologian but he's got a set of sermons theologian but he's got a set of sermons called sermons of the natural man called sermons of the natural man called sermons of the natural man sermons of spiritual man meaning sermons of spiritual man meaning sermons of spiritual man meaning basically evangelistic sermons and basically evangelistic sermons and basically evangelistic sermons and edifying sermons and one of them I can't edifying sermons and one of them I can't edifying sermons and one of them I can't remember where he says sin is the remember where he says sin is the remember where he says sin is the suicidal action of the human will suicidal action of the human will suicidal action of the human will against itself and what he means is very against itself and what he means is very against itself and what he means is very simple when you do a sin it makes it simple when you do a sin it makes it simple when you do a sin it makes it much easier to do it again and much much easier to do it again and much much easier to do it again and much harder to avoid much harder to resist harder to avoid much harder to resist harder to avoid much harder to resist every time you sin every little sin you're destroying your ability to resist you're destroying your ability to resist that sin every single time. It's a that sin every single time. It's a that sin every single time. It's a suicidal action of of the of the sin is suicidal action of of the of the sin is suicidal action of of the of the sin is a suicidal action of the human will a suicidal action of the human will a suicidal action of the human will against itself.

against itself. against itself. And that doesn't go away right away. And that doesn't go away right away. And that doesn't go away right away. When when you're when you accept Christ, When when you're when you accept Christ, When when you're when you accept Christ, when when Christ accepts you, when that when when Christ accepts you, when that when when Christ accepts you, when that you you you know the objective guilt is you you you know the objective guilt is you you you know the objective guilt is taken away, there's still a tremendous taken away, there's still a tremendous taken away, there's still a tremendous amount of bondage to sinful habits. amount of bondage to sinful habits. amount of bondage to sinful habits. So you not only have a certain bondage So you not only have a certain bondage So you not only have a certain bondage to the law subjectively, your tendency to the law subjectively, your tendency to the law subjectively, your tendency to go back into works righteous to go back into works righteous to go back into works righteous righteousness. There's a tendency, of righteousness. There's a tendency, of righteousness. There's a tendency, of course, we're still in bondage to our course, we're still in bondage to our course, we're still in bondage to our sin nature. And lastly, there's we're sin nature. And lastly, there's we're sin nature. And lastly, there's we're still in bondage to idols. If you're one still in bondage to idols. If you're one still in bondage to idols. If you're one of the two or three people in the world of the two or three people in the world of the two or three people in the world who's never heard me say anything about who's never heard me say anything about who's never heard me say anything about idols, let me let let me let me give you idols, let me let let me let me give you idols, let me let let me let me give you a very brief Well, I'll tell you why. a very brief Well, I'll tell you why. a very brief Well, I'll tell you why. Because it it's so important here to to Because it it's so important here to to Because it it's so important here to to Exodus. Exodus. Exodus. If you love anything more than God, even If you love anything more than God, even If you love anything more than God, even though you believe in God, if there's though you believe in God, if there's though you believe in God, if there's anything in your life that's more anything in your life that's more anything in your life that's more important to your own significance or important to your own significance or important to your own significance or security than God, now we're talking security than God, now we're talking security than God, now we're talking about everybody here, about everybody here, about everybody here, then that is a a kind of pseudo god. then that is a a kind of pseudo god. then that is a a kind of pseudo god. It's a false god. It's a power in your It's a false god. It's a power in your It's a false god. It's a power in your life. It's it's it's a covenant master.

life. It's it's it's a covenant master. life. It's it's it's a covenant master. You're kind of in a covenant with it in You're kind of in a covenant with it in You're kind of in a covenant with it in a way. And it will it will continually a way. And it will it will continually a way. And it will it will continually say, "Serve me or die." Just like say, "Serve me or die." Just like say, "Serve me or die." Just like Pharaoh. Pharaoh. Pharaoh. See, objectively, See, objectively, See, objectively, Pharaoh is no longer the master. I mean, Pharaoh is no longer the master. I mean, Pharaoh is no longer the master. I mean, he said, "Go." And they're gone. And now he said, "Go." And they're gone. And now he said, "Go." And they're gone. And now Pharaoh comes back and says, "I want you Pharaoh comes back and says, "I want you Pharaoh comes back and says, "I want you back." And this happens in all our back." And this happens in all our back." And this happens in all our lives. Let me give you an example lives. Let me give you an example lives. Let me give you an example because I know not all of you are because I know not all of you are because I know not all of you are ministers, but you know, some of you are ministers, but you know, some of you are ministers, but you know, some of you are or want to be. Um, or want to be. Um, or want to be. Um, this this can be true for career, this this can be true for career, this this can be true for career, children, or your ministry. children, or your ministry. children, or your ministry. If you want to be a good minister, If you want to be a good minister, If you want to be a good minister, that's fine. And if things go wrong in that's fine. And if things go wrong in that's fine. And if things go wrong in your ministry, your ministry, your ministry, you know, you'll be sad. And if someone you know, you'll be sad. And if someone you know, you'll be sad. And if someone gets in the way of you doing a good job gets in the way of you doing a good job gets in the way of you doing a good job in your ministry, you'll be mad. in your ministry, you'll be mad. in your ministry, you'll be mad. And if uh and if there's a threat to the And if uh and if there's a threat to the And if uh and if there's a threat to the future of your ministry, you'll be uh future of your ministry, you'll be uh future of your ministry, you'll be uh afraid. afraid. afraid. But if your ministry and your success in But if your ministry and your success in But if your ministry and your success in ministry is actually more important to ministry is actually more important to ministry is actually more important to your self-image than what God says about your self-image than what God says about your self-image than what God says about you, if it's functionally uh an idol, you, if it's functionally uh an idol, you, if it's functionally uh an idol, it's more important to you than God. If it's more important to you than God. If it's more important to you than God. If you really are getting that that that you really are getting that that that you really are getting that that that belief that I know I'm a important belief that I know I'm a important belief that I know I'm a important person, I know that I'm worth something.

person, I know that I'm worth something. person, I know that I'm worth something. I know I have value because I'm a I know I have value because I'm a I know I have value because I'm a successful minister. I mean, it's hard successful minister. I mean, it's hard successful minister. I mean, it's hard to know quite, you know, whether that's to know quite, you know, whether that's to know quite, you know, whether that's what's happened to you. But here's what what's happened to you. But here's what what's happened to you. But here's what you here's here's what happens. When you here's here's what happens. When you here's here's what happens. When someone gets in the way of your someone gets in the way of your someone gets in the way of your ministry, you get incredibly angry. Not ministry, you get incredibly angry. Not ministry, you get incredibly angry. Not just angry, but just vehemently angry. just angry, but just vehemently angry. just angry, but just vehemently angry. When something goes wrong with your When something goes wrong with your When something goes wrong with your ministry, you're not just sad, you melt ministry, you're not just sad, you melt ministry, you're not just sad, you melt down. down. down. You completely lose it. And when You completely lose it. And when You completely lose it. And when something threatens your ministry, something threatens your ministry, something threatens your ministry, you're not just afraid, you're not just you're not just afraid, you're not just you're not just afraid, you're not just worried, you are absolutely petrified. worried, you are absolutely petrified. worried, you are absolutely petrified. You are paralyzed with fear. You are paralyzed with fear. You are paralyzed with fear. Why? What is those emotions just about Why? What is those emotions just about Why? What is those emotions just about eat you up? What? Those are your old eat you up? What? Those are your old eat you up? What? Those are your old covenant masters coming back in spite of covenant masters coming back in spite of covenant masters coming back in spite of the fact you've given your life to the fact you've given your life to the fact you've given your life to Christ. Coming back and saying, "Serve Christ. Coming back and saying, "Serve Christ. Coming back and saying, "Serve me or you will die. You need me. You me or you will die. You need me. You me or you will die. You need me. You can't live without me." And that's the point. And that's the point. The point is there's still slavishness The point is there's still slavishness The point is there's still slavishness in the Israelites heart there. You still in the Israelites heart there. You still in the Israelites heart there. You still have the things that you thought you have the things that you thought you have the things that you thought you were free from. And actually in one were free from. And actually in one were free from. And actually in one sense you are but another sense they sense you are but another sense they sense you are but another sense they come back and they rattle their sabers.

come back and they rattle their sabers. come back and they rattle their sabers. In fact uh in Romans chapter 6 uh years In fact uh in Romans chapter 6 uh years In fact uh in Romans chapter 6 uh years ago I was trying to understand it and I ago I was trying to understand it and I ago I was trying to understand it and I read David Martin Lloyd Jones's series read David Martin Lloyd Jones's series read David Martin Lloyd Jones's series of sermons on Romans 6 and uh he has a of sermons on Romans 6 and uh he has a of sermons on Romans 6 and uh he has a fascinating illustration in there. Lloyd fascinating illustration in there. Lloyd fascinating illustration in there. Lloyd Jones did not use extended illustrations Jones did not use extended illustrations Jones did not use extended illustrations much. He didn't tell stories or use much. He didn't tell stories or use much. He didn't tell stories or use illustrations a lot but his was a very illustrations a lot but his was a very illustrations a lot but his was a very important one. It helped me unlock what important one. It helped me unlock what important one. It helped me unlock what Paul was talking about. And it was very Paul was talking about. And it was very Paul was talking about. And it was very it was very simple interesting for a it was very simple interesting for a it was very simple interesting for a British man to do this. He says, British man to do this. He says, British man to do this. He says, "Imagine um that you were a slave in uh "Imagine um that you were a slave in uh "Imagine um that you were a slave in uh in the southern United States before the in the southern United States before the in the southern United States before the Emancipation Proclamation. Emancipation Proclamation. Emancipation Proclamation. Imagine you're a slave." And what that Imagine you're a slave." And what that Imagine you're a slave." And what that means was you you couldn't vote. You had means was you you couldn't vote. You had means was you you couldn't vote. You had no power. Uh somebody could beat you up. no power. Uh somebody could beat you up. no power. Uh somebody could beat you up. Somebody probably could kill you. You Somebody probably could kill you. You Somebody probably could kill you. You don't have rights. don't have rights. don't have rights. And therefore you when you were in town And therefore you when you were in town And therefore you when you were in town and some white person told you uh do and some white person told you uh do and some white person told you uh do this or do that and was abusive to you this or do that and was abusive to you this or do that and was abusive to you were very frightened and you did were very frightened and you did were very frightened and you did anything they said and say now it's 10 anything they said and say now it's 10 anything they said and say now it's 10 years later emancipation proclamation's years later emancipation proclamation's years later emancipation proclamation's over. Uh you've got rights but you walk over. Uh you've got rights but you walk over. Uh you've got rights but you walk into town a white person starts to yell into town a white person starts to yell into town a white person starts to yell at you. Even though you know with your at you. Even though you know with your at you. Even though you know with your head, hey I have some rights here, head, hey I have some rights here, head, hey I have some rights here, you're still scared. You're still acting you're still scared. You're still acting you're still scared. You're still acting like a slave. He says that actually is like a slave. He says that actually is like a slave. He says that actually is the condition of every every Christian.

the condition of every every Christian. the condition of every every Christian. You know, but you don't know You know, but you don't know You know, but you don't know that you've been saved. that you've been saved. that you've been saved. You know that uh you you should be free. You know that uh you you should be free. You know that uh you you should be free. If if you really believed what you do If if you really believed what you do If if you really believed what you do believe, if you believed in your heart believe, if you believed in your heart believe, if you believed in your heart what you know with your head, and that what you know with your head, and that what you know with your head, and that is there is no condemnation for you is there is no condemnation for you is there is no condemnation for you because you're in Christ Jesus. See, God because you're in Christ Jesus. See, God because you're in Christ Jesus. See, God regards you as perfect in Christ's regards you as perfect in Christ's regards you as perfect in Christ's righteousness. And then you let what righteousness. And then you let what righteousness. And then you let what people think of you. you let you let uh people think of you. you let you let uh people think of you. you let you let uh you know you you let other people's you know you you let other people's you know you you let other people's opinion, you let success or failure in opinion, you let success or failure in opinion, you let success or failure in this or that endeavor just build you up this or that endeavor just build you up this or that endeavor just build you up or destroy you. What that means is or destroy you. What that means is or destroy you. What that means is you're still a slave in your heart. Even you're still a slave in your heart. Even you're still a slave in your heart. Even though theoretically, technically, though theoretically, technically, though theoretically, technically, objectively, you're not. God's freed you objectively, you're not. God's freed you objectively, you're not. God's freed you from things that you still are enslaved from things that you still are enslaved from things that you still are enslaved to and you just haven't worked it in. to and you just haven't worked it in. to and you just haven't worked it in. In other words, what you know, In other words, what you know, In other words, what you know, systematics theology class gives you. It systematics theology class gives you. It systematics theology class gives you. It says, well, God's salvation, uh, we're says, well, God's salvation, uh, we're says, well, God's salvation, uh, we're freed past tense from the penalty of freed past tense from the penalty of freed past tense from the penalty of sin. We are getting free present tense sin. We are getting free present tense sin. We are getting free present tense from the power of sin and eventually we from the power of sin and eventually we from the power of sin and eventually we will be free from the very presence of will be free from the very presence of will be free from the very presence of sin. You know, that's justification, sin. You know, that's justification, sin. You know, that's justification, sanctification, glorification. You've sanctification, glorification. You've sanctification, glorification. You've heard that. But ah, this is a story.

heard that. But ah, this is a story. heard that. But ah, this is a story. This that that's abstract. Here you have This that that's abstract. Here you have This that that's abstract. Here you have it. Here you have a picture of where we it. Here you have a picture of where we it. Here you have a picture of where we are. are. are. Redemption is about getting out of Redemption is about getting out of Redemption is about getting out of bondage and it has layers bondage and it has layers bondage and it has layers and that's the reason why the great and that's the reason why the great and that's the reason why the great hymns, the great songs, the things that hymns, the great songs, the things that hymns, the great songs, the things that move you uh talk about that you long my move you uh talk about that you long my move you uh talk about that you long my imprisoned spirit lay fast bound in sin imprisoned spirit lay fast bound in sin imprisoned spirit lay fast bound in sin in nature's night. Thine eye diffused a in nature's night. Thine eye diffused a in nature's night. Thine eye diffused a quickening ray. I woke the dungeon quickening ray. I woke the dungeon quickening ray. I woke the dungeon flamed with light. My chains fell off. flamed with light. My chains fell off. flamed with light. My chains fell off. My heart was free. I rose went forth and My heart was free. I rose went forth and My heart was free. I rose went forth and followed thee. followed thee. followed thee. It's true and we do have those It's true and we do have those It's true and we do have those experiences and yet every so often we experiences and yet every so often we experiences and yet every so often we look down and we find our heart's not look down and we find our heart's not look down and we find our heart's not free. It's not free yet. free. It's not free yet. free. It's not free yet. So the first thing we learn about Jesus So the first thing we learn about Jesus So the first thing we learn about Jesus salvation about the salvation is salvation about the salvation is salvation about the salvation is salvation is about getting out. It's salvation is about getting out. It's salvation is about getting out. It's about getting out of bondage. But the about getting out of bondage. But the about getting out of bondage. But the bondage has layers.