身為美國人的我認為我們美國的悲劇之一是十八，十九世紀的黑奴制度。雖然那時候我還沒有出生，但是每當想到黑奴制度和它所產生的後果時，我便感到很難過。那些黑人不想作奴僕；今天也沒有人願意作別人的奴隸；我更不願意任何人作我的奴僕。您呢？

　　新約聖經用一些不同的說法，不同的比喻，形容人與神之間的關係和耶穌在十字架上的犧牲。一個說法是“奴僕”兩個字。聖經肯定我們都給罪惡作奴隸。耶穌基督說，“你們如果遵守我的教導，就真正是我的門徒了。你們會認識真理，而真理將使你們獲得自由”。當時有一些不相信耶穌的人站在一邊旁聽，就插嘴，說﹕“我們...從來沒有作過任何人的奴隸，你怎麼說‘你們將獲得自由’呢？”耶穌回答說﹕“我實話告訴你們，凡是繼續犯罪的人，都是罪惡的奴隸...”（新約聖經約翰福音8:31-34）。

　　朋友，您和我也應該反省一下，問問自己，承不承認我們給罪惡作奴隸？新約聖經的佳音是耶穌犧牲了自己為要赦免我們的罪。耶穌要提供新生命給我們，把他的聖靈賜給我們，使得我們過聖潔的生活。

　　新約聖經羅馬書提醒基督徒說﹕“你們雖然做過罪惡的奴僕，但卻一心一意地服從了傳給你們的典範，於是你們擺脫了罪惡，成為義的奴僕”（6:17-18）。只要我們一心一意地服從福音，擺脫罪惡，走上神的道路，神就會祝福我們，幫助我們過聖潔的生活。

　　我很引以為傲的是我有一位先祖，因為收留脫逃的黑奴，而被捕。今天我有一些要好的黑人朋友。您可知道，我以為美國黑奴制度是一個悲劇。人類買賣人類。有錢，有權威，有武器的人把沒有力量，毫無辦法抗議的人當作可買賣的貨品。很悲哀！但是更悲哀的是一個人高高興興地，樂樂意意地順服在撒旦魔鬼的權力之下，作撒旦的奴僕，天天犯罪。

　　希望您和我都要把自己交託給天上的天父，愛我們的神，讓他把我們從撒旦的手中拯救出來。

　　朋友，請您多多地研讀聖經，使得您早一點明白真理獲得自由。

As an American, I believe that one of the tragedies in American history was that of slavery during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.  Obviously, I had not been born at that time, yet it deeply saddens me whenever I think of the system of slavery and all its negative results.  Those black people didn’t want to be slaves then, and no one today wishes to be owned by someone else.  I certainly don’t want to enslave anyone, and I’m sure you don’t want to either.

“Slave,” however, is one of the figures of speech the Bible uses to describe the need for the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on the cross.  The Bible affirms that all of us are slaves to sin.  Jesus Christ said, “If you continue to obey my teaching, then you are truly my followers.  Then you will know the truth.  And the truth will make you free.”  When Jesus said this, some people who were not his followers were standing by listening; they interrupted Jesus and said, “We... have never been slaves.  So why do you say that we will be free?”  Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth.  Every person that sins is a slave.  Sin is his master” (John 8:31-34, ETRV).

You and I should search our hearts for a moment and ask ourselves whether or not we admit that we are slaves to sin.  The Good News of the New Testament is that Jesus sacrificed himself in order to forgive our sins and to reestablish the relationship between man and God.  Jesus offers us new life and he wants to give us the Holy Spirit who motivates us to holy living.

The New Testament book of Romans reminds Christians, “In the past you were slaves to sin—sin controlled you.  But...  you fully obeyed the things that were taught you.  You were made free from sin.  And now you are slaves to goodness” (Romans 7:17-18 ETRV).  We need to obey the gospel fully, to put off sin and begin walking God’s road, then God will bless us and help us live holy and righteous lives.

I am proud of the fact that one of my ancestors was arrested for giving refuge to run-away slaves.  Today I have some very good friends who are black, and I consider the period of slavery in America a real tragedy. I cannot imagine people selling and purchasing the flesh of other people!  Those with money, power and weapons oppressed others who were powerless to resist; they saw them as no more than commodities of trade.  What a tragedy!  But what a greater tragedy it is today when someone willingly and with great delight submits himself to the rule of Satan, gives himself over as Satan’s slave and lives a life of sin.

I hope that you and I will give ourselves over to our Father in heaven, to the God who loves us.  Let us allow him to snatch us from the hand of Satan and save us.

Please read your Bible more and more so you will know the truth and it will make you free.