TRUE FREEDOM
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.”
John 8:31-36 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
For this July 4th devotion I thought it would be appropriate to look at a passage of scripture where Jesus taught on the issue of freedom. I think it should be interesting to note in the dialogue between Jesus and the Jewish leaders they claimed that as descendants of Abraham “we have never been slaves to anyone.”
A very quick look at the Old Testament would reveal that the Jews had been enslaved by at least seven mighty nations during their history. Even at the very moment they were having this conversation with Jesus the nation was enslaved by the Roman Empire.
Often people who are slaves don’t like to admit they are slaves. The biggest hurdle for any person struggling with an addiction is to admit they have an addiction. Whether that habit is alcohol, drugs, gambling, pornography, anger, food, or anything else it is hard to admit that we are a slave to something or someone.
Some people become slaves to money, their looks, their toys, their children, food, shopping, or many other things. Anything that we think we can’t live without becomes our slave master.
Jesus tells us the only way to true freedom is to voluntarily surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. If we allow Jesus to become the Lord of our life only then will we become truly free.
Freedom in any area of my life will always begin in my spirit. I am a spirit, I live in a body, and I possess a soul. My spirit and soul are eternal. My body is temporal. When my spirit is free only then can I experience freedom in other areas of my life. If my spirit is not free, every other freedom I experience is temporary.
Surrender is the only path to freedom. Jesus told the same people in verses 31-32, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Freedom comes through surrender to Jesus and His Word. By choosing to make Jesus my Lord and Savior I am releasing myself into a life of freedom.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit help me to experience true freedom. Show me any area of my life where I have overlooked something that is making me a slave. I declare Jesus is the Lord of my life and choose to follow Him in every area of my life.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”
Thankful for freedom
Lord , I don’t want to become a slave to worldly and material things.