Arbeit Macht Frei
December 29th, 2009Recently I heard that the “Arbeit Macht Frei” sign that stood at the entrance to the Auschwitz concentration camp was stolen. Literally thousands of Jews lost their lives at the hands of Nazi atrocities there. The prisoners were used as slave labor until they were used up. Then they were exterminated and their bodies cremated.
The sign’s words are translated to English as, “Work Makes Free.” This was a Nazi lie. It was intended to trick the Jews into thinking that if they just worked hard enough, they would gain their freedom. In the end, most of them perished.
This reminds me of one of Satan’s lies, “Work for Salvation.” He uses any number of ways to get us to believe that if we work hard enough, God will love us more. If we work hard enough, we gain eternal life.
Our God has always been a God of grace. He chose the Israelites and led them out of Egypt through the Sea to Sinai. He gave them the option as to whether or not they would follow Him. When they accepted His invitation, He gave them His conditions and instructions. Obeying God declares one’s love for Him. Thus, if the Hebrews kept the Ten Commandments, they showed their love and had a better life than the pagans who surrounded them.
The same message carries over to the followers of Jesus Christ. He said that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments (John 14:15). The apostle John reminds us that the love of God is keeping His commandments which are not burdensome (see 1 John 5:3). Obeying God is a joy, not a burden.
Why would someone steal the “Arbeit Macht Frei” sign? Maybe they will sell it on Ebay and make some money. Maybe they want the world to forget the atrocities to innocent people. Maybe the Enemy has yet another trick up his sleeve. Be sure you know God and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Keep The Light Burning!
Perry Greene
