"Prison Break"
EPISODE 93
Escape the Imprisonment of Sin
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Long before Hollywood dramatized an inmate's escape from their jail cell on the big screen, the Bible captivated us with the supernatural prison break of the apostle Peter.
" And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, "Dress yourself and put on your sandals." And he did so. And he said to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me." And he went out and followed him ..." (Acts 12:7-9).
We've all been held prisoner to the sinful desires within us (Rom. 7:23). But how do we break free from the bondage of sin and escape to freedom? Let's look to the words of the angel from Acts 12 for help.
"Wake Up"
"Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame" (1 Cor. 15:34).
No one ever escaped from prison by staying asleep. And sometimes, we need a spiritual wakeup call to bring us back to our senses. Are you snoring your life away in the "dreamland" of sin without even realizing it? Do you need to turn the lights on to see where sin has darkened your heart? Wake up, and do it quickly!
"Get Dressed"
"... So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime ... But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires" (Rom. 13:12-14).
Prisoners are typically dressed in bright-colored jumpsuits to make them easily identifiable. But, when we're imprisoned by sin, we're clothed in the works of darkness. So, are you wearing the prison uniform of sin or freedom in the Lord? If you want to escape eternal condemnation, put on Christ with his armor of light (Eph. 6:10-20)!
"Follow Me"
"... If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matt. 16:24-25).
Every great prison break needs a map. But we can't guide ourselves out of sin's bondage. Fortunately, God provided the perfect escape plan — faith in his only Son (John 3:16). Only by following Jesus through self-denial and total self-sacrifice will we be rescued from our chains. But will you trust him enough to lead you to safety?
May God help us escape our spiritual prison cells by waking up, getting dressed, and following him today!
