John 8:28-33 – “Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.  29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”  30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.  31 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’?”  NKJV

 

I suppose one of the most relevant questions of today is “What is Freedom?”  It is possible to have something without understanding but it is impossible to enjoy it to the fullest and use it best without knowing what it is.  During the summer I saw a T-shirt that read:  “Butterflies are Free”.  Well duh, they are free but only free to be butterflies they are not free to fly to the moon.  Today we have millions concerned with ‘freedom’ but very few are truly asking, ‘What Is Freedom?’ Few are asking, “If I had freedom what would I do with it?” 

I believe the question of Freedom was addressed in the scripture I referenced in my text and it reveals just how confused people were then and I believe now as to WHAT freedom really is.  Imagine the response of the Jews: “We have NEVER been in bondage to any man!”  Are you serious?  I guess your memory or knowledge of history is corrupted for your people had been in bondage numerous times and were then in servitude to the Romans.  They were being ground under by the heel of Roman Imperialism.  I believe their response is a reflection of how little many understand about FREEDOM.  Here Jesus gives us three affirmations that explain freedom.

GOD’S PURPOSE FOR MAN IS FREEDOM…

Some think it is the absence of restraint but that could and likely would lead to anarchy not freedom.  Imagine no guidelines as to which side of the road to drive on and one could do whatever they pleased.  I can see anything but freedom in that scenario.  FREEDOM is the privilege and power to become all that God has designed and desired for you.  It is the opportunity to fulfill your potential in life.  You were born with incredible potential for you were created in the ‘Image of God’.  He gave us the Bible which is a Book of Freedom.  Jesus said inn John 8:34 – “Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.”  The verb means in the habit of practicing sin.  When we accept Jesus we have freedom from guilt, the punishment and judgment of sin.  We have freedom to grow and become like our Lord Jesus Christ so God’s purpose for man is FREEDOM!

GOD’S METHOD FOR FREEDOM IS TRUTH…

There are two forces at work in our world one of darkness and the other of light.  Satan is a liar as Jesus identified in John 8:44.  Satan uses lies to bring us into bondage and that bondage leads to destruction whereas God uses truth to bring us to freedom and freedom leads to fulfillment of the purposes of God in our life.  In Genesis 3 the devil suggested that Adam & Eve could be ‘as God’ offering them freedom with no responsibility and that does not exist.  We have truth.  Jesus is truth.  The Word of God is truth. The Spirit of God is truth.  The truth makes us free!

GOD’S REVELATION OF TRUTH IS JESUS CHRIST…

John 8:36 brings this home powerfully, “If the Son, therefore makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”  He came, in the flesh, to a nation that was in political bondage but even worse spiritual bondage and brought them freedom spiritually.  How do we ‘know’ Him who is truth?  His Word, His Presence, His Spirit.  We must come to ‘know’ Him and that implies an intimacy that is far beyond casual acquaintance it is KNOWING and He said, “If you continue in My word, then you are my disciples indeed…”  We must obey Him.  Our responsibility is to KNOW Him and He opens the door for that reality.

The more you become like the Lord Jesus the more it releases your potential so the more you  become like and manifest Him the more you experience freedom and the more you experience freedom the more you release your potential.  Freedom is life controlled by truth and motivated by love and bondage is life controlled by lies and motivated by selfishness.

            So as you walk into greater freedom may the Lord bless and keep you is my prayer!