The Glorious Emancipator

Hello,

We recently read a story about Raynald III, who was a fourteenth-century duke in what is now Belgium.  He was grossly overweight. Raynald was commonly called by his Latin nickname, Crassus, which means “fat.”

After a heated confrontation, Raynald’s younger brother Edward led a successful revolt against him. Edward captured Raynald, but decided to not kill him. Instead, he built a room around Raynald in the Nieuwkerk castle and promised him he could regain his title and property as soon as he was able to leave the room.

This would not have been difficult for most people since the room had several windows and a door of near-normal size, and none was locked or barred. The problem was Raynald’s size. To regain his freedom, he needed to lose weight. But Edward knew his older brother, and each day he sent a variety of delicious foods. Instead of dieting his way out of prison, Raynald grew fatter.

Raynald stayed in that room for ten years and wasn’t released until after Edward died in battle. By then his health was so ruined he died within a year—a prisoner of his own appetite.

What is it about sin that so easily draws one in? Just like Edward, Satan will always to it that see that you are offered those things that are a great temptation to you.  While one reads the story of Raynald and shakes the head in disbelief, there is no difference when one choose sin and self-indulgence over the abundant life Christ offers. So instead of sin, let's choose Christ, who died for us so we could experience freedom from the chains of disobedience!

      "ONCE I WAS BOUND BY SIN'S GALLING FETTERS;

            CHAINED LIKE A SLAVE, I STRUGGLED IN VAIN.

       BUT I RECEIVED A GLORIOUS FREEDOM,

            WHEN JESUS BROKE MY FETTERS IN TWAIN.

       GLORIOUS FREEDOM! WONDERFUL FREEDOM!

            NO MORE IN CHAINS OF SIN I REPINE!

       JESUS, THE GLORIOUS EMANCIPATOR!

            NOW AND FOREVER HE SHALL BE MINE."

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."  John 8:36

We pray for Christ's blessings on you today, as you remember throughout this day that you are loved!!!

Henry