Matthew 25:14-30 (LPV)

¹⁴ For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

¹⁵ And unto one he gave five faiths, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

¹⁶ Then he that had received the five faiths went and placed it in Christ, and increased his faith.

¹⁷ And likewise he that had received two, he also gained more faith.

¹⁸ But he that had received one went and hid his lord’s faith in things of the world.

¹⁹ After a long time the lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them.

²⁰ And so he that had received five faiths came, saying, “Lord, you delivered me by faith: behold, I am changed.”

²¹ His lord said unto him, “Well done, good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter into my joy.”

²² He also that had received two faiths came and said, “Lord, you delivered me by faith: behold, I am changed.”

²³ His lord said unto him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter into my joy.”

²⁴ Then he which had received the one faith came and said, “Lord, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not strawed:

²⁵ And I was afraid, and went and hid your faith in Satan’s dominion: see, there is Your faith.”

²⁶ His lord answered and said unto him, “You wicked and slothful servant, you knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

²⁷ You ought therefore to have put my faith to use, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

²⁸ Take that faith from him, and give it to another.

²⁹ For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.”

³⁰ And cast the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Psalm 68:18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.

We are all captives, all of us. We get to choose our captors. Would you rather be held captive by someone who hates you or someone who loves you? I am captivated by the love of Christ.

The world we were born into is the dominion of Satan. Satan’s penalty for his part in original sin, the deception of Eve, was to be cast out of paradise and into the dust, death, the realm of death.

John 10:10a The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: (the one who hates us)

John 10:10b I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (the One who loves us)

If you should be tired of being held captive by sin, pain, abuse, and loss; then choose Christ. How you get to choose Christ is simple enough. Open the door to your heart when He knocks and let Him in, not to be a guest in your home, but to be the Lord of the house.

The redemptive work of the Cross of Christ can only be accepted by faith. Since He died to set the captives free, to give them life eternal, to restore lost relationship, then we might want to examine faith next.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Grace, unmerited favor, comes through faith and faith is the gift from God which makes it all possible.