DELIVERANCE

Being set free from bondage

Deliverance is one of the most commonly used words in Christendom today.

It is very important to get the Biblical interpretation of the word to avoid falling into serious misgiving.

The dictionary definition of deliverance is “being freed or rescued from something”. The ordinary interpretation of the word for most people is “being set free from the torture of evil spirit, ill luck, inability to keep a steady job, bareness, ill health, family curse and other calamities”.

For many people in the world, it never rains but pours. One trouble follows another in a perplexing manner, defying all attempts at finding solutions. Am I the only person in the world? Why me again? Is there no way out of all these? Am I not doomed? Who will help me out? Those are common questions often asked by people when calamities befall them. Most of the time, life calamities are direct consequences of sin. it was because our foreparents, Adam and Eve, committed sin that trouble started for the human race. God told Adam “Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life” (Genesis 3:17). Solomon also said, “To the sinner he giveth travail” (Ecclesiastes 2:26).

Through the sin committed by Adam and Eve, sorrow, pain and death entered into the world. But thanks be to God that through the atoning Blood that Jesus shed on the Cross, the curse of sin can be lifted from those who allow the Blood to be applied on their heart.

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law” (Galatians 3:13).

A lot of people approach “deliverance’’ from the wrong angle. No human being can deliver a fellow human being from the consequences of sin, for

“All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). It takes the atonement of a sinless being (in this case Jesus Christ) to be freed from the penalty of sin. You need no human intermediary to plead your case before God. The only acceptable intermediary is Jesus (Acts 4:12).

The calling of names of angels or other beings cannot deliver anyone. It is only at the name of Jesus that every knee shall bow.

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).

God’s requirement is that you repent and forsake your sins.

“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7).

True and lasting deliverance starts when sins are forgiven. Other methods may bring temporary relief but the relief will never last so long as the person continues in sin. There was a man who was sick of palsy during the time of Jesus. He was a quadriplegic. After Jesus saved and healed him, He told him,

“. . . sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee” (John 5:14).

A life of sin has its own harvest: sorrow, frustration, nightmare, fear, disappointment, failure and the like.

Acknowledge your sins, be genuinely sorry for committing them, determine to turn away from them, pray earnestly in faith for mercy through the Blood of Jesus and you will be delivered. You will know, the very moment you are delivered. God’s Word says, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:16).

Are you afflicted, in pain or in trouble? Search your heart. Pray to God and ask Him to forgive your sins. You will be truly delivered.

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Deliverance is . . .

 Forgiveness of the past - (Isaiah 55:7)

 A new life in Christ - (2 Corinthians 5:17)

 Power to go and sin no more - (John 8:11)

 Freedom from condemnation - (Romans 8:1)

 Help for every situation in life - (Isaiah 43:2)

 Available for everyone! -  (Revelation 22:17)

“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2Corinthians 5:17).

Steps to Deliverance

Acknowledge

Admit that you have sinned and need God’s help. (Romans 3:23)

Confess and Repent

Be genuinely sorry for the sins you have committed and ask God to forgive you. (Acts 3:19)

Forsake

Determine with God’s help to turn away from all the sins in your life. (Isaiah 55:7)

Believe

When you have honestly and sincerely taken the steps above, then believe that God will save you. (John 3:16)

Receive

God will let you know that the work is done. (Romans 8:16)