Pastor’s Corner: “Unquestionably Free”
John 8:36 (AMP) – 36 So if the Son makes you free, then you are unquestionably free. John 8:34-38 (MSG) – 34-38 Jesus said, “I tell you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave. A slave is a transient, who can’t come and go at will. The Son, though, has an established position, the run of the house. So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through.
Would you consider yourself a free person? The truth is, most people in the world are slaves but don’t even know it. There are no physical chains or slave masters because this form of bondage has to do with the invisible state of the soul. When Jesus spoke about the power of truth to set people free, the Pharisees objected, claiming they were not enslaved to anyone. But they were deceived, and this is the sad state of many people today. They have no idea that they’re in bondage to sin and that it’s the result of having rejected the truth of God concerning Jesus Christ.
Then there are some Christians who question their freedom because they still struggle with sin. I love the amplified version of John 8:36 – 36 So if the Son makes you free, then you are unquestionably free. SON MAKES YOU FREE – YOU ARE UNQUESTIONABLY FREE. No one but Jesus can set captives free. Real liberty comes from Him alone. It is a liberty rightly granted; for the Son, who is Heir of all things, has a right to make men free. Christ reveals it by His power, but He bought it by His blood. He makes you free, but it is by His own bonds. You go clear because He bore your burden for you: You are set at liberty because He has suffered in your place.
I believe that many Christians continue to suffer with sin bondage because they are still trying to set themselves free, working in their own power and understanding. In the process they unknowingly step back into slavery. Paul addressed this with the Galatians. Galatians 3:3 (AMP) – 3 Are you so foolish and senseless? Having begun [your new life by faith] with the Spirit, are you now being perfected and reaching spiritual maturity by the flesh [that is, by your own works and efforts to keep the Law]? Galatians 5:1(NLT) – Freedom in Christ – So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.
There is a difference between free and UNQUESTIONABLY FREE. Illustration: Two convicts have received a life sentence, but they desperately want to be free. These men face two kinds of freedom: illegal freedom through escape and true freedom through pardon or parole. One is “free.” The other is “free indeed.” These two convicts break out of prison, determined to create their own freedom. Once they’ve escaped, they’re free but not free indeed. Every day, they look over their shoulders in fear, wondering how long their freedom will last. Do you question your freedom? Are you looking over your shoulder?
As long as we live here on earth, sin will surround us and be something we must contend with. But God has given us the way to become progressively free from its power. Satan may plot to enslave us, but if the Lord is on our side, whom shall we fear? The world, with its temptations, may seek to ensnare us, but He who is for us is mightier than all those who are against us. Our own deceitful hearts may harass and annoy us, but He who has begun the good work in us will bring it to completion in the end. The enemies of God may gather their forces against us, but if God acquits, who is he that condemns?
Jesus came so that we can be free indeed. He desires us to accept the pardon for our past, stop looking over our shoulders, and be free indeed. You can’t create your freedom. To be “free indeed” means to
be confident in your deliverance because Christ has removed the bondages of sin. Ultimately, God’s word doesn’t say that if we choose to be free, then we will be free; His word says that the one who Christ makes free is free indeed.
Rest in the love, mercy, grace and FREEDOM of the Father. Trust in His Son.
In His grace,
Pastor Hamilton