Freedom
Scripture: John 8:31-36 - Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’? 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
In some countries people are not free to read the Bible or to worship the Lord Jesus Christ. As Christians in the United States of America, we are thankful to God for the privilege and the opportunity to study God’s word and the freedom of worshiping God. Let us now as believers in Christ Jesus not abuse our freedom, but we should use our freedom to serve Christ and His Kingdom – and make no provision to serve the flesh (Romans 13:14). We know that true spiritual freedom came through the death, burial, and resurrection power of Jesus Christ – because of His blood and righteous. He paid for our sin on the cross to set us free from being a slave to sin (Romans 6:6-22). Just to be free physically is not true/total freedom. Only Jesus Christ can give true liberation of the soul – which lasts for eternity. In John 8:39-56 the Jews did not believe in Jesus as their Messiah. They rejected the truth of Jesus’ teaching, which would have set them free spiritually. They were more interested in their social needs than spiritual needs. The Jews’ attitude and actions clearly identified them as followers of Satan and not true children of Abraham. They refused to listen to Jesus. Some social issues still need to be changed, but what is guaranteed is spiritual freedom – no longer being a slave to sin.
Now we can walk in the Spirit and not the flesh. To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. A Christian is no longer a slave to sin! We should wholeheartedly/fully yield/give ourselves to God. (Matthew 23:37 - O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!) Charles Wesley said “My chains fell off and my heart was free. I rose and went forth and followed Jesus!”
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father: Thank You for freeing us from sin’s power through Jesus Christ who paid the price for all of our sin on the cross. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit to serve You. I want to be all that You have called me to be. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(by Pastor Robert Williams)
In some countries people are not free to read the Bible or to worship the Lord Jesus Christ. As Christians in the United States of America, we are thankful to God for the privilege and the opportunity to study God’s word and the freedom of worshiping God. Let us now as believers in Christ Jesus not abuse our freedom, but we should use our freedom to serve Christ and His Kingdom – and make no provision to serve the flesh (Romans 13:14). We know that true spiritual freedom came through the death, burial, and resurrection power of Jesus Christ – because of His blood and righteous. He paid for our sin on the cross to set us free from being a slave to sin (Romans 6:6-22). Just to be free physically is not true/total freedom. Only Jesus Christ can give true liberation of the soul – which lasts for eternity. In John 8:39-56 the Jews did not believe in Jesus as their Messiah. They rejected the truth of Jesus’ teaching, which would have set them free spiritually. They were more interested in their social needs than spiritual needs. The Jews’ attitude and actions clearly identified them as followers of Satan and not true children of Abraham. They refused to listen to Jesus. Some social issues still need to be changed, but what is guaranteed is spiritual freedom – no longer being a slave to sin.
Now we can walk in the Spirit and not the flesh. To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. A Christian is no longer a slave to sin! We should wholeheartedly/fully yield/give ourselves to God. (Matthew 23:37 - O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!) Charles Wesley said “My chains fell off and my heart was free. I rose and went forth and followed Jesus!”
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father: Thank You for freeing us from sin’s power through Jesus Christ who paid the price for all of our sin on the cross. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit to serve You. I want to be all that You have called me to be. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(by Pastor Robert Williams)
1 Comment
Thanks for devotional: "Freedom". What boggles my mind is the Jews' answer in John 8:33 - They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’? They missed the whole point speaking about their heritage in Abraham, and their current status of never being in slave to anyone in their lifetime. How inslaved in sin and blind to the living Messiah right in front of them. Dear LORD, I pray that my relatives & people in my circle who do not know You, be SET FREE SPIRITUALLY to know You as their risen Savior. Amen.