FREE AT LAST

An Irish slave finds Freedom. Read how Patrick got more than physical freedom – and so can you. The Patrick Story is Our Story.

The desire to live free from fear calls out strongly in the human heart.
As a teenager, Patrick was captured by slave traders and taken from his home in Britain to herd sheep on a remote mountain in Ireland. It was during his 6 year enslavement that he turned to God in prayer and experienced a profound change in his heart, one that transformed his life forever.

In Patrick’s confession he wrote,

“…before I was brought low, I was like a stone lying in deep mud. Then he who is mighty came and in his mercy pulled me out, lifted me up and placed me on the top of a high wall.” (St Patrick’s Confession, 12)

In a dream he heard the voice of God directing him to a ship so he could escape from his slavery. He returned home and having devoted his life to serving God as a church leader, he had another dream. This time, it was a call to return to Ireland to tell the people about God. Patrick’s message rippled through the course of Irish history, bringing the good news of the gospel to our shores and impacting the people of Ireland for centuries to come.

The freedom Patrick experienced in his encounter with God on that mountain was so radical that instead of spending his life running from the people who had enslaved him, it freed him from fear of them and any bitterness or resentment he may have felt towards them. He was truly free. Free to love his enemies. Free to return to the land of his kidnappers to teach them about God despite the pleas of his parents who wanted him to stay safe at home with them.

Patrick’s words:

“for I expect every day to be murdered or betrayed or reduced to slavery as any occasion arises. But I fear none of these things, because of the promises of Heaven; for I have cast myself into the hands of Almighty God…” (St Patrick’s Confession, 55)

What was the radical freedom that made Patrick willing to return to the nation that had enslaved him?

The Bible teaches that we have a two-fold problem. All people are guilty, and all people are enslaved. Each of us has turned away from God (sin), and death is the rightful punishment. The heart of each person is bound by chains of sin and no one can free themselves from these chains.
Jesus Christ himself said,
“Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin’ (John 8:34)

The good news of the gospel is that Jesus Christ came to deal with both the penalty and the power of sin. He came to the very people that hated him and willingly gave up his own life on the cross, so that the punishment for sin was on him instead of us who deserved it. On the  cross, he was given the sentence of death that we were bound for.
And because he defeats death, Jesus Christ also has the power to free us from the enslaving power of sin. A freedom from sin and from death; from power and penalty. Freedom from the judgement of God. Freedom to love God as a friend and saviour, no longer an enemy.

Patrick was set free. He was not bound by the fear of slave traders. He was not enslaved to a life of resentment and bitterness towards them. He was truly set free to radically love them, as Jesus Christ loved those who crucified him. Patrick was not just a survivor. He was triumphant, by God’s grace.

This is the true mark of a person who has been liberated from slavery to sin, and this is available to anyone who is set free by Jesus Christ. If other people have hurt you or let you down, there is good news in the gospel. You don’t have to be trapped by the hurt. Patrick wasn’t. If Christ sets you free, you can freely walk with God as Patrick did, no longer enslaved to sin and death, and you can also love those who hate you. You can be free from the judgement and shame of those who want to control you and dominate your life and your thoughts.

This is the freedom of the Christian life. It is not a radical self-absorbed life, pursuing our own desires. It is a freedom that rests in total dependence and trust in Jesus Christ.

Freedom awaits. You also can be set free today; Admit your own sin & need of God, accept what Jesus did on the Cross for you & receive his free gift of eternal life. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed”.
(John 8:36)

Read Patrick in his own words at our Confessio page