The Old Ball & Chain

Nehemiah 9:36-37 Behold, we are servants this day, and for the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it: 37 And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.

We are back in this incredible prayer in the book of Nehemiah. In every verse something jumps out at me, but these two verses are so sad. They remind me of the way many Christians live when they don't have to. We live shackled by the ball and chain of self, Satan, sin, and the system of the world.

Consider these observations:

1. When we sin, we will always become the servant of our sin.
Our flesh is quick to lie to us and tell us that God is the one who is the tough taskmaster. God doesn't want me to have any fun. He is keeping back something from me. For Israel, the reality was that God is the one who gave them the most fertile piece of land in the whole world. He wasn't trying to jip them in any way. God always gives the very best. Dr. John Goetsch posted on his twitter account one time, "life is not about finding freedom; it is about finding your master." You see, all of us will serve someone or something until the day we die. We have the choice.
a. We could serve God
Who loves us (John 3:16), daily loads us with benefits (Psalm 68:19), and cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).
b. We could serve our Self
Which is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9), bent towards doing wrong (Romans 7:18), and constantly wanting something God doesn't (Romans 13:14).
c. We could serve Satan
Who will make you do what he wants (John 8:44), not to mention he will deceive (Revelation 20:10), distract (Galatians 1:6-7), discourages (Ezra 4:4), and when he is finishes will devour you (1 Peter 5:8).
d. We could serve Sin.
However, this is probably not the right choice because Christ died so we would not have to serve sin (Romans 6:6).
e. We could serve the System of this world
The only problem is the world will pass away one day (1 John 2:17), the popularity you can gain here will fade (1 Peter 1:24), and the riches they offer will fly away (Proverbs 23:5). Not to mention that the world is just really serving Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Here's the deal,
(1) you only get 1 choice. You can't pick 2 (this isn't Panera Bread).

Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

(2) You must make your decision daily
Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD

The reality is that we demonstrate our choice by they way we live our life each day.

Romans 6:15-18 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

2. Serving sin doesn't give you control, it leaves you out of control.
Nehemiah 9:37 And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.
What God intended to be Israel blessings, sustenance, and wealth was now being used by conquering kings because of Israel's sin. The king had control over their

a. body
b. possessions


2 Timothy 2:26 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God
peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they
may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. When we serve sin, self, Satan, or the system of the world, the Devil is able to take us captive whenever he wants (2 Timothy 2:26)

So how do we break free from the ball and chain of sin?

1. Serve God. Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

2. Yield to doing right. Romans 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

3. Realize the end. Romans 6:20-21 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.