IN OUR country before the Civil War, when we had slavery, the slaves used to keep their eyes on the North Star. If a slave escaped to the northern states only, the slave master could come and take him back into slavery. But there was another flag on North American soil, and if a slave could once get under that flag he was free forever. That flag was the Union Jack. If they could only get to Canada they were free.
So it is with every poor sinner who wants to come to Christ. Satan tries to keep souls in the slavery of sin. Even some people do all they can to hinder one from coming to Christ; others cheer him on. Let us help everyone towards Christ.
Well, the moment a man escaped, perhaps he would swim across the Mississippi, or cross the Ohio in a little canoe. His master would hear of it, and perhaps he would take his hounds and set them on the track. He would begin to hunt him down.
The slave would hear those hounds; they had their noses on his track, and his master would be following hard to take him back. What would he do? He would escape as fast as he could. He would make his way to the frontier, over hedges, bridges, and rivers. Away he would go for Canada, day and night. He would work hard, and not eat much. He was in the greatest haste to get liberty. Away he would go, and by and by he would come in sight of Canada. He could see the flag in the distance, and knew if he could only cross the line before his master and the hounds overtook him he would be free. Away he would go, and at last he was over the line. One minute he was a slave; the next minute he was a free man.
Friends, Satan would like to keep you under his power. There is no master so hard as he.
The Lord Jesus came into this world to set us free from the bondage of sin, and the slavery of Satan. God in love is urging you to get free of Satan’s power as quick as you can. Believe the gospel, for “it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” Rom. 1:1616For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16). The Lord Jesus alone can set you free. “If the Son... shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:3636If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (John 8:36).
Come, join the ranks of those whom God has delivered from the power of darkness, and has translated into the kingdom of His dear Son (Col. 1:1313Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: (Colossians 1:13)). And when once you have Christ as your Saviour remember the word, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Gal. 5:11Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1).
ML-07/15/1962