Real freedom
“When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” Even as he spoke, many believed in him. To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:28-32 Time and again, the issue of what constitutes freedom has been debated. One of the reasons why this matter is highly disputed is because every individual left on their own will have their own preference as to what freedom should look like. From the text, when the Lord Jesus Christ’s authority and claim were being examined, He told them who were questioning Him that to accept Him, His authority and claim, would lead to real freedom. His death on the cross and His resurrection will prove to His detractor that what He claimed Himself to be is who He is. The faith that people will have to Him will realize the “I AM” that He spoke of. They will experience the magnificent reality of God and the significance of eternity for they now belong to His Kingdom. He told those who disputed His claim that those who will not submit to His authority will be under the power of sin. “How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin” (John 8:33-34). It is possible that we feel trapped and powerless when we face difficult challenges in life, yet the One we place our faith and trusted with our lives promised that “I [We] can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). If we think that we are getting overcome by the circumstances, we can trust God’s promised “that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). When we feel we are weak to overcome sin and temptation in life, we can hold on to His promise that “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). It is one thing to claim that we know about the truth yet it is another thing to experience the reality of God’s presence in our lives for He is the Truth (John 14:6). Unless you know Christ in your life and have trusted Him your Lord and Savior, you will not be free to be the person He wants you to be. To know Him is to be free indeed!
Blessings,
Noel De Guzman
www.my-wbc.com
