Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Free Indeed

John 8:31-36 (NKJV)
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'?"
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.  

Abiding in His word means more than hearing.  It means living it, in obeying His commandments.  Obedience is love in action.  His word today comes to us from Scripture and the attending revelation of the Holy Spirit.  We have been told elsewhere that both Jesus and the Holy Spirit only speak the words of God.  

Jesus offers freedom from sin.  This freedom He speaks of is a result of us becoming His disciples, which means becoming sons of God.  Becoming a son brings eternal life.  

Even though verse 31 says He was speaking to the Jews who believed Him, verse 33 reveals the depth of their belief.  They still saw their identity as being descendants of Abraham and keepers of God’s law as given by Moses.  But Jesus was speaking not of physical children of Abraham but those who would be spiritual descendants in faith which leads to being children of God.  The law produces slaves because of sin.  Faith in Jesus produces sons.  That is the true and only way.  His word is the way.  It is the truth that will make you free indeed.  

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