The Unlocked Cage: The Gospel is a Liberating Fact

Humanity is like a people being held in a cage under the dominion of the forces of darkness, enslaved to Sin and Death (Rom. 5:12–21; 6:6, 16–20; Eph. 2:1–3; Heb. 2:14–15). Through his death and resurrection, Christ has broken the authority of these powers and unlocked the cage (Col. 1:13; 2:15; Heb. 2:14–15). The good news is the announcement that the cage has been unlocked—that God has acted in Christ to reconcile the world to himself, not counting people’s trespasses against them (2 Cor. 5:18–19).

Without hearing this good news, a person may continue living as though the cage were still locked (Rom. 10:14–17) and never bother walking through the open door. This is why the gospel is a liberating fact: it does not tell prisoners how to unlock the cage; it announces what God has already accomplished through Christ (1 Cor. 15:1–4; 2 Cor. 5:19).

Once a person becomes aware of this good news, he or she is confronted with a choice: remain in the cage, continuing to present oneself to Sin and obey the old master, or walk through the open door by being reconciled to God and presenting oneself to him (Rom. 6:12–16; 2 Cor. 5:20). In biblical terms, this is a movement from darkness to light, from the authority of Satan to God (Acts 26:18), and a transfer from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of God’s Son (Col. 1:13).

Christ has opened the way to freedom. The old powers no longer have to be obeyed. The gospel announces that liberation, and the hearer is summoned to leave the old dominion and give allegiance to the new King (Rom. 6:16–18).

The cage has been unlocked.

The gospel announces it.

Faith believes the announcement.

Repentance turns toward the open door.

Allegiance walks through it.

It makes me think of this…

John 10:7-9 (HCSB)
So Jesus said again, “I assure you: I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.”

Godspeed, to the brethren!

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