Column by Bro. Terry Ivy
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36) Jesus spoke this to the religious leaders of His day. They claimed to be men of spiritual freedom, yet they rejected Christ. They claimed to stand on the promises of God, yet they refused the Truth which Jesus spoke. He later told them they were of their ‘Father the devil.’ (John 8:44)
When Jesus comes to set men free, He liberates us from the guilt and power of sin. Grace does not empower us to continue in a habitual lifestyle of sin. That is not grace—it is religious deception. Many professing believers continue in a lifestyle of immorality, drunkenness, and racism. Some make themselves get up and attend church, perhaps to keep their social status intact. But the truth is that they are of their father the devil even while they sing, "It is well with my soul." Others never go to church, but if you asked them about Jesus, they share how when they were 12 years old they prayed the prayer and joined the church. But their present lifestyle reveals they have no spiritual fruit and are without salvation.
Jesus came to forgive, cleanse, and empower believers to live godly...in this present age. (Titus 2:11-12) Think of this; why would God allow men to go to heaven while living like the devil, when He kicked the devil out of heaven for living like evil men? Neither a church, a prayer, a membership card, water baptism, communion, Sunday school, or any other activity are vehicles to heaven. Jesus alone is our Savior. And when we cast ourselves upon His mercy, through repentance and faith, He sets us free! Free from shame, free from condemnation, free from the power of sin, free from religion, free from destructive behavior, free from guilt, free from death....free, free, free!!
Even when we fail as believers, Jesus offers us grace and forgiveness. His freedom is not just a point in time; it is a continual process as we walk in His truth and light. Let all of us who call upon His Name walk in the freedom that the Gospel promises. Let us live as an example of God's grace to all those around us. Don't fret when religious people and Satan want to condemn you for your past actions. If we have repented and surrendered to Christ, we are FREE!
Satan is a master at pointing us to our past sins. He wants to keep us under the weight and shame of our past and cripple us from enjoying our future. Jesus is the Lord over our past, present, and future. Through His mercy our past is forgiven, through His grace our present is sustained, and through His love our future is certain.
We recently celebrated the freedom of America, however, we must remember that apart from the freedom found in Christ, eternal liberty does not exist. Let us run toward Jesus with all our hearts. Then and only then, we can sing… Let Freedom Ring!
