The book of Exodus is a model of the Christian life. It starts with people being set free from slavery (salvation). Next, we see God put them in situations where they will learn to grow in faith (Ex 13:17). Then, once their faith reaches the point where they have the courage to follow God, He leads them to possess the blessings He has promised. Becoming free is a process, not an event, because real freedom is an attitude of the heart. It wasn’t enough for God to physically release the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. He also had to work on their attitudes until they had the courage to possess the promised land. He trained them until they thought and acted like free people, not escaped-slaves.

The world is full of forces that attempt to put us in bondage, but God’s plan for each of us is to be free—truly free—free to serve Him and fulfill our purpose in life. Yet, this kind of freedom doesn’t come cheaply. It requires miracles from God and our learning to walk in faith. Exodus lets us watch as God transforms a crowd of slaves into a nation of warriors. It gives us hope that we too can step out of bondage and possess our promises. After all, it was God’s faithful leadership that turned the people of the Exodus into victorious conquerors, not their own spiritual maturity. And it is still God’s faithful leadership that will free us as well. Today, let’s look more deeply at the new birth and how God sets us free from slavery to the devil: