Freedom!

John 8:31–36 NKJV

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 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’?” Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

What is slavery?

It is dominating another person’s will.

It is ownership of another person’s life.

It is limiting another person’s potential.

It is restricting another person’s purpose.

It is a curse.

Slavery to sin

Whoever commits sin is a slave to sin.

People who are free on the outside can be slaves on the inside.

People who are slaves on the outside can be free on the inside.

A slave will not reside in the house forever.

What freedom is NOT

It is not the absence of law.

Myles Monroe: “We must learn that freedom is not the absence of law, work, or labor but the embracing of responsibility. We must be awakened to the reality that true freedom imposes more laws than slavery, demands more work that slavery and demands more self-control and discipline than slavery.”

It is not a license to sin.

Romans 6:1–2 NKJV

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

Galatians 5:13 NKJV

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

What freedom IS

It is the gift of God.

Jesus redeemed us out of our slavery to sin.

A lamb rescued Israel from their slavery to Pharaoh. The Lamb of God rescued sinners from their slavery to sin.

It is the freedom to do what is right.

It is the freedom to say “no” to sin.

It is the freedom to say “yes” to the will of God.

It is the freedom to serve others in love.

Response to the Word

Believe in the Lamb of God who takes away sin and delivers us from its slavery.

Become a disciple of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ so that you might know the truth that can be free on the inside.

Begin serving the LORD and others through love rather obligation.