On January 1, 1863, Abraham Lincoln’s Proclamation of Emancipation was made official and came into law. It proclaimed all slaves in the United States free men. However, not all slaves were living free on January 2nd.
In the North and Midwest, Irish slaves were set free soon after this date. Chinese slaves were released in the Midwest. But in the South, General Lee did not surrender until April.
On June 19th of 1865, Major Gordon Granger sailed into Galveston Bay and proclaimed all the slaves in Texas, free. That was a year and a half after they were legally set free by documents.
For 18 plus months, free men lived as slaves for one reason: They didn’t know.
The sad reality of Christianity is this: Many believers are still living in bondage to sin because they do not know. They have not renewed their minds and therefore are not spiritually living as free men, adopted sons and forgiven souls.