Pudd'nhead Wilson and the Christian Life

I just finished Pudd'nhead Wilson by Mark Twain. For those who are unfamiliar with the story here is a brief synopsis: Thomas a Becket Driscoll and Valet de Chambre are switched in the crib when Roxy, a slave woman, 1/32 negro, realizes that nobody will ever notice. She gives her son, Chambre, the leg up in society. Unfortunately he turns on her many times, even selling her down the river to pay a gambling debt, though she holds over him the spectre of turning him in as the fraudulent heir that he is.

Eventually he kills his uncle and Pudd'nhead Wilson, the town lawyer and also sleuth and finger print collector uncovers the whole thing on the final morning of the trial. The murderer is exposed and shipped down the river and the "slave boy" but true heir takes his position. Only problem, he is the heir, but he still lives, talks and acts like the negro he was raised to be.

As I reflect on the story, this passage of Scripture comes to mind.

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God — or rather are known by God — how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? Galatians 4:8-9

What a commentary on the Christian life and how we continue in what we were even when we are free. Even though the true heir is restored to his rightful place, he continues to long for and live like a slave. Isn't that the Christian's struggle? Though we are rightful children, we long for the slop of this world, its riches, its rewards and its entrapments, but we are free. We have every right to a real life grounded in Christ, but we live like slaves. Oh that each of us recognized this reality and began enjoying the glorious freedom of Christ - growing, learning and living like men and women freed from sin and death so that we can really love God and our neighbors.