How to be Set Free from the Bondages of Sin

As we enter into the Easter season I thought it would be a good idea to share with you a tract written by one of our inmate pastors at Parchman Prison.  Earl uses this message to minister to inmates and share with them how God has changed his life.  I hope it touches your heart and leads you to contemplate your life as it relates to Satan’s never ending desire to keep you in bondage to your sins.

How to Be Set Free From The Bondages of Sin
By Earl Dycus

 “Are you tired of being bound?  Do you want to be free?  Many of you today are in prison.  You know the meaning of being bound, whether it is by shackles, handcuffs, or razor wire fences.  I want to talk to you about being bound by sin.  What does it mean to be set free spiritually from the bondage of sin?  The Word of God tells you how to be set free.  Look and see what God says about true freedom.

If you are tired of trying to do things your way and not satisfied with results, let me tell you some good news.  There is a better way!  Like you, I tried it my way and the results were horrible.  Can you relate to that?  If so, are you ready to try a way that is guaranteed to bring different results?  I am reminded of something I heard not long ago.  I was told the definition of insanity is “continuing to do what have always done and hoping for different results.”  It is time for you to do it God’s way.

You are reading this tract because Earl wanted to share with you that God loves you and desires for you to be in a right relationship with Him.  It is not hard to do.  Let me explain how it is done.

To start with, forget about thinking you or anyone else is righteous.  Romans 3:10 states clearly, “As it is written, there is none righteous, not even one.”  Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  This lets you know that you need God’s help.

The Lord did not want to leave you in this condition so He did something about it.  Romans 5:8 states, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  You see, the price has been paid for you and must accept or reject it.  I chose to accept what the Lord did for me and I pray you will do the same.

Now comes the best part.  You are told exactly what you must do to accept God’s gift so you can be set free from the chains of sin.  Are you ready to break the chains in your life?  This is what the Word of God says you are to do.

Romans 10:9-10 clearly states, “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved, for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

It is with your mouth that you ask Jesus into your heart.  It is a personal confession done by you and it assures your salvation.  Notice it does not say others do this for you.  In addition, notice the Scripture does not add works of any kind to your salvation.  We are saved and then the Lord will help us do what is necessary. Jesus did all the work for your salvation on Calvary.  He paid the price for you.

If you want to see different results in your life, I ask you to pray and ask the Lord to save you.  If you do it according to the Word of God, it will be the best decision you will ever make.

You deserve more than handcuffs, a prison number and living in hell here on earth and then spending eternity in hell.

I want you to be a child of God.  You have read in Scripture what it takes to be saved.  Are you ready for a change?  If so, I want you to pray and ask the Lord to save you.  Ask Him to come into your life and help you live for Him.  He promises to answer this prayer.  Allow Him to give you freedom from the penalty He paid for you.

If you do pray and ask Him to save you, I want to ask you to let me know about it.  I want to pray for you daily and help you grow in Christ.  I would love to get you started in some Bible studies and see you learn what the Word says about living a Christian life.

To share with you what the Lord can do in one’s life when they sell out to Him, I sat on Death Row with an execution date and if anyone needed to be set free, Earl did.  I was told I would never leave the Maximum Security Unit if I did get off Death Row.  However, God heard my cry and He set me free.  My sentence was reversed to life with parole and I was moved from the Maximum Security Unit.

That was in 1983.  Today I have a fully accredited Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Parchman Extension.  God is good!  I now have the knowledge and training to serve God more abundantly.  When I came to Parchman, I had an eleventh grade education.  Nobody can tell me God cannot set one free from sin and turn his or her life around.  I have come too far to buy that lie.  The same God who set me free from the bondages of sin is more than able to do the same for you!  He is no respecter of persons.”

God’s men must be as bold and courageous as this wonderful inmate pastor in sharing how our precious Savior, Jesus Christ, can break the chains of bondage caused by sin.  Whether in prison or the free world, Satan is always working to hold us hostage to sin.  Let’s never forget that because of Jesus death on the cross, and more importantly His resurrection, God provides us a way to break free from the bondage of sin for eternity!

(This article is taken directly from the tract created by Pastor Earl Dycus and the portion in quotations is exactly as Earl has written it.)