TRUE FREEDOM!
“Go now and leave your life of sin.” —John 8:11
I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.” —John 8:24
Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” —John 8:31-32
“Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” —John 8:47
“Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.” —John 8:51
Have you ever stolen anything, no matter how small it may have been? That makes you a thief! Have you ever lied about anything, no matter how small it may have been? Then that makes you a liar! You have broken God’s Law, you have trespassed His boundaries. You have sinned. You are a sinner.
James tells us that “whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it” (James 2:10). Do you understand what that means? If you have ever lied that makes you also guilty of idolatry, taking the Lord’s Name in vain, dishonoring parents, murder, adultery, stealing, coveting as well as lying. Now think about this, if God as Judge were going to judge you according to your sin, would you be guilty or innocent? Where would you wind up—- heaven or hell? Wait… there is good news!
The good news is that if you believe on the Lord Jesus you will not be condemned for breaking God’s Law because Jesus took the penalty for us (Isaiah 53; John 3:16; 18;36, John 19:17-30 ). Those who truly trust Jesus will listen to Him, that is, they will be reading and heeding His Word, the Bible. Those who do not belong to Him will not listen to Him. But, those who truly listen to Him will be set free. “But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe” (Galatians 3:22). Yes, Jesus came “that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will” (II Timothy 2:26). Those who have not trusted Jesus are being held as prisoners of sin by Satan whether they realize this or not.
Listen, Jesus came “to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free…” (Luke 4:18). Jesus is the only way to be forgiven, to gain freedom from the power and penalty of sin, to relationship with God, to eternal life. Call on His Name today. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” —John 8:31-32
Dear Father, thank You that in Jesus I am free to live according to Your desires and to not be in bondage to sin and Satan. Thank You for setting me free. Now, out of gratitude, may I faithfully serve You!