13 Sep 2024
Freedom (2)
“I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me.” (John 14.6 GNB)
“If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples; you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. ... Everyone who sins is a slave of sin” (John 8.31-32,34 GNB)
"Freedom" is a word that does not stand on its own - it needs context. "Free" from what?
Jesus offered that if I obey Jesus, then I will know him and he will set me free from sin, so I can go to God the Father. It starts with obedience which seems paradoxical to "freedom".
But in a way, it is liberating to have the freedom to choose to sin or not to sin. Some people are unable to not sin. In obedience to Jesus, I have a choice and the Holy Spirit helps me to choose not to sin.