As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed n him, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” They answered him, “We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?” Jesus answered them, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8:30-36 KJV)
During the Independence Day celebrations, we hear a lot about freedom and living in a country where we are free to pursue life, liberty and happiness. Free to go where we want to. Free to worship or not worship. Free to eat hotdogs or not. Free to shoot off fireworks or not. Free to decide most things for ourselves. Freedom has been basic to American thinking since 1776.
At the close of an important speech to Congress on January 6, 1941 President Franklin D. Roosevelt shared his vision of the kind of world he wanted to see after the war in Europe was over. He spoke of four basic freedoms which should be enjoyed by all people: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. Of course, World War II exploded far beyond Europe, and the world never achieved Roosevelt’s ideal. Even if it had, however, we would still need another freedom President Roosevelt didn’t mention: freedom from ourselves — freedom from our sinful nature.
In our text passage, Jesus was talking to new believers about a new kind of freedom –spiritual freedom rather than political freedom. At that point they didn’t understand what He meant and were still “trapped” by habits, influences, culture, traditions, rules and regulations. They had not come into the knowledge of what it meant to be spiritually FREE INDEED.
Jesus said, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (v.36)
Believe the Son! Believe that his proclamation of freedom is true! Believe that his declaration of independence is enough! Romans 8:1 teaches us that independence from the slavery of sin and death also liberates us from condemnation.
Since 1776, no American would want to return to the imperialism of King George III. Why would we, who have been set free by the Son, want to return to our former slavery? Paul tells us, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1 KJV).
In Titus 2:11-12, Paul tells us “the grace of God teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lust.” The freedom of grace is about living soberly, righteously, and godly in our present time.
Dear Father, thank you for the freedom you give through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Enable us to follow Christ and truly be free. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be courageous today in true freedom,