Free to love with Jesus
John 8:33-36 They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?" Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed."
Jesus’ statement about being a slave of sin is sobering, isn't it? Every human being, but Jesus, has been a slave of sin. We were born enslaved to sin, and thus live for ourselves without Jesus. We practice sinning (that’s the idea behind the two words, “commits sin”). Sin reigns in all who are not united with Christ through faith.
If someone thinks they are free without Jesus, they are enslaved to sin. To continue to reject Jesus as God’s only acceptable sacrifice and savior is to continue in sin. That’s what slaves of sin do—they live in their own strength and foolishness. One of the dangers of growing up with a spiritual legacy is to think one is right with God because they grew up in church and have heard the gospel and know the Scriptures. One of the signs of a self-deceived person is that they place their hope in the faith of their descendants, their heritage, their pedigree. Jesus told them that everyone who believes in Him may be free from sin’s dominion.
What good news! Everyone who knows they are slaves of sin wants to be free. These Jews thought they were free when in reality they were slaves, so Jesus’ invitation was viewed as a condemnation. They were blinded by their self-deception.
Paul wrote to the Galatians, "It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery" (Gal. 5:1). May we stand firm in the freedom of Christ. The old selfish, angry, bitter, ambitious, proud man died at the cross. The new man, the life of Jesus, frees us to love. Jesus lives to love and do God’s will in those who believe in Him. He makes us slaves of righteousness, which is the essence of freedom from sin. The apostle Paul stated this clearly in Romans 6:16-18.
Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
To be a slave of righteousness is to be a slave of love. May glorifying God by loving with Jesus be our passion. Thank you, Jesus, for this amazing grace!!! We are free to love with You. Hallelujah!
Jesus is the Son of God and heir of all things. So He has authority over all things, and if He declares you are free from sin’s slavery, then you are free indeed—forever!!!!!!! Free from sins dominion. Free from sin’s curse (death). Free to obey Him. Free to live and love with Jesus. To God be the glory.
I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of "giving it forward," so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.
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