In June of 2014, two cars went up for sale on a televised automobile auction. They were both from the same collector, and both had been bought and still belonged to the original owner. One was a 45-year-old GTO and the other a 25-year-old Porsche.
Both cars were immaculate. The GTO had been given professional modifications to make it competitive with any new car on the road today. The Porsche had less than 20,000 miles on it and was considered the best example of a comparable model year Porsche in existence.
Yet, this collector was willing to let these iconic cars go to the highest bidder. Why?
He and his wife had become entwined in the arms of the snake. Their possessions had begun to own them. Their grandchildren lived in a distant state, and they were forced to make a decision: the snake of earthly possessions or the family they loved.
They decided to cast off the snake and reach for what was truly important in this life, the arms of those that loved them. Only then could they be free to pursue the things they truly valued. As long as they held onto those valuable cars, their actions would be dictated by them, and they would not be free.
Sin does that to us in the exact same way. It is a snake that wraps us in its arms, and it will not let us go. We lose our freedom, and we can only regain it when we cast aside that which keeps us bound.
The Word gives us fair warning with regards to one sin, that of intoxication. Read along in the following three verses:
Wine Warning #1:
Proverbs 20:1. “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.”
Wine Warning #2:
Isaiah 5:11. “Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may run after strong drink, who tarry late into the evening as wine inflames them!”
Wine Warning #3:
Galatians 5:21. “Envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
However, there is an alternative given to us, one that we can rejoice in.
Ephesians 5:18. “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.”
The cars that couple put in the automobile auction were not evil. However, what they owned had begun to own them. When we let the things of this world control who we are and what we do for God, then it is time to auction them off and let God be our rock and solid foundation, for only in him can we find the freedom to become who he wants us to be.
Sin is a snake that will encumber us. We must cast it aside to find freedom in Christ.
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