"A Freedom That Is Real"
By Jared Wilson

John 8:31-36

This passage contains just a snippet from an extended exchange between Jesus and some of those who opposed Him and His ministry. One of the tragedies of this continuing opposition is that it came from Jesus' own people. In verse 31, Jesus tells them, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples."

This pronouncement was actually quite revolutionary, because much of what Jesus said and did apparently ran contrary to the established religious order and the Law. Here was Jesus, after thousands of years of religious tradition, telling them His way was the new way, the right way.

And then He says something even more peculiar: "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (v.32).

"Excuse me?" the Pharisees seem to say. "Come again?"

It is the continual focus on the flesh, and not the spirit, that trips them up. Only slaves need freedom, they reason. And they are not slaves to anyone (v.33). They reference, of course, their status as children of Israel. Being descendants of Abraham, they must assume they have a "free pass" into God's kingdom. But it is not your race or ethnicity, nor your nationality or social status, that merits the kind of freedom Jesus offers. Still less is that freedom earned by religion or obeying all the rules. What a shock to those who had been banking on these things for years!

No, Jesus says, anyone who sins is a slave to sin (v.34). That pretty much covers everyone (but Jesus Himself). But just when we would despair of this spiritual imprisonment, Jesus says something so simple yet so powerful: "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (v.36).

What an incredible relief to know I should not - because I cannot - trust my own efforts for salvation. And this is the freedom that God gives - real freedom.

This is no partial freedom, no sorta freedom, no kinda freedom. It is real freedom, a freedom that totally transforms and makes our old lives new. Look at some of the miracles of Jesus: the lame walk, the deathly ill become healthy, the blind see. The dead come to life!

Is this the life we are living? Do we perhaps just acknowledge this truth with our heads while our hearts still hold to passionless routine? Do we think, "Yeah, God loves me, but I'm sure He's just waiting for me to mess up so He can zap me"? Why do we believe we are His children, but think we are still slaves to the things He has set us free from? It's as if we know we are His children, but think that one false move will have us kicked out of the family for life. Jesus says, "Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever" (v.35). Believe this!

As children of God, we have access to His love and mercy, His comfort and His care. Like little kids who can trust their daddy for love and acceptance, as well as for guidance and discipline, we trust in the most trustworthy Father a child can have.

Because we have been adopted by God, because we are heirs to His incredible promises, we have the rights and privileges the Father gives His children. Let us walk boldly, live confidently, overcome triumphantly, speak graciously, act lovingly, and -- above all - find perfect and absolute joy in God's perfect and absolute freedom.

I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts. - Psalm 119:45
I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. - Psalm 119:32

 
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