When we think of Jesus, we often picture a teacher, healer, or Savior. But He was also a revolutionary—a liberator. Not in the political sense of overthrowing earthly governments, but in the deeper spiritual sense of breaking the chains of sin and death. Jesus came to set the captives free (Luke 4:18), and in doing so, He became the greatest abolitionist the world has ever known.
Abolition isn’t just a term tied to history books and the fight against the transatlantic slave trade. It is at the very heart of the Gospel. Jesus came to deliver humanity from bondage. Therefore, every Christian is called to be an abolitionist—not just in a spiritual sense, but in real and tangible ways.
Jesus Came to Set Slaves Free
Sin is slavery. That’s how Scripture defines it:
“Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” – John 8:34
“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness…” – Romans 6:22
From the Garden to Golgotha, the story of redemption is about freedom—freedom from the cruel taskmasters of sin, death, fear, shame, and condemnation. Jesus didn’t come merely to make bad people good. He came to liberate the enslaved and restore dignity to the broken.
When Jesus announced His ministry, He quoted Isaiah 61:
“He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners… to set the oppressed free.” (Luke 4:18)
His mission wasn’t only about inward transformation—it was about delivering people from every form of oppression, spiritual and physical.
The Call to Follow the Liberator
If Jesus is an abolitionist, then His followers must be too.
Too often, we have narrowed our understanding of Christianity to private morality or internal belief. But Jesus didn’t come just to forgive sins—He came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8), which include systems of exploitation, injustice, and bondage. His Gospel sets people free in every dimension of life.
That means every believer has a role to play in the abolition of modern slavery.
Yes, modern slavery still exists—in fact, more people are enslaved today than at any other time in history. Human trafficking, forced labor, sex trafficking, debt bondage, and child exploitation are global crises. And they are not just happening “somewhere else.” They are happening in neighborhoods, cities, and nations all around us.
To follow Jesus means to join Him in His mission to liberate the oppressed—spiritually, emotionally, physically, and socially.
What It Means to Be a Christian Abolitionist Today
Being an abolitionist in today’s world doesn’t always mean kicking down doors or rescuing trafficking victims yourself—though some are indeed called to that frontline work. For most believers, abolition starts with awareness, compassion, prayer, and obedient action. Here are practical ways every Christian can engage in this calling:
1. Pray Like It Matters
Prayer is not passive. When we pray in Jesus’ name, we align ourselves with His liberating power. Pray for victims of trafficking. Pray for their freedom. Pray for the organizations fighting on the frontlines. Pray for justice to roll down like waters (Amos 5:24).
Prayer is often the beginning of vision—and vision becomes action.
2. Educate Yourself
Learn about the different forms of modern slavery:
- Labor trafficking
- Sex trafficking
- Domestic servitude
- Child exploitation
- Online grooming
Understand how industries are sometimes complicit in these injustices. Awareness leads to discernment in how we spend, speak, and serve.
Organizations like International Justice Mission, Polaris Project, and A21 provide excellent resources for understanding modern-day slavery and the global movement to end it.
3. Use Your Voice
Proverbs 31:8 commands us:
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.”
Christians are called to advocate—not just to feel burdened, but to act boldly. You can write to legislators, support anti-trafficking laws, and share stories that raise awareness. Use your platforms—whether it’s your church, blog, podcast, or dinner table—to speak truth and call others to action.
4. Support Ethical Businesses
Every dollar you spend is a vote. Many products—clothing, coffee, chocolate, electronics—are often tied to exploitative labor. Do your best to support ethical, fair-trade, or slavery-free brands.
While it’s impossible to shop perfectly, we can shop purposefully. Even small shifts in our spending reflect the heart of abolition.
5. Support or Partner with Anti-Trafficking Organizations
Find a reputable ministry or nonprofit that fights trafficking and support them financially or as a volunteer. Your giving can fuel rescue operations, fund legal advocacy, support survivors, and empower local churches in high-risk areas. I recommend All Things Possible Ministries.
You don’t have to do everything—but you can do something.
6. Disciple Others in Freedom
True abolition begins in the heart. Jesus breaks the chains of sin, shame, addiction, and abuse. Make it your mission to walk alongside others in their journey to freedom. Share the Gospel. Teach the Word. Offer healing prayer. Create spaces in your church or community where people can heal and be restored.
Freedom isn’t just for the rescued—it’s for the redeemed.
Ending with Christ’s Heart
The Gospel is not a message of mere escape from hell. It is the good news of liberation. Jesus came to rescue the broken, the bound, the addicted, the trafficked, the ashamed, and the oppressed.
And now, He calls us to go and do the same.
You may not feel like a hero. You may not think your efforts matter. But when you live with the heart of an abolitionist—refusing to accept slavery in any form—you reflect the heart of Christ.
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me…”
“…because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners.” (Isaiah 61:1)
That same Spirit rests upon you today.
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