"Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you are free indeed."
John 8:36
I read the testimony of a young woman who was addicted to drugs. She was a dancer in a night club and a prostitute. She said that she needed the drugs to help with the pain of what she was doing. One night she was arrested by the police and jailed. Before the judge, she pleaded guilty. He was willing to suspend the sentence, if she went through a drug rehabilitation program. It was there that she was converted to Christ. Her life was changed. She found peace in her life. After she completed the program, she continued to work there, helping others to find the same freedom that she had found. She was free indeed.
Christ came not to condemn people, but to make them free. He sets people free from the bondage of sin. The power of guilt, shame and condemnation is broken through a personal relationship with Christ. Charles Wesley explained it in his hymn, when he wrote these words: "He breaks the power of cancelled sin. He sets the prisoner free."
Our freedom in Christ comes through faith, believing Him, taking him at His word. Unbelief robs us of our freedom. Unbelief says, "I've heard all that before. I've been to church, but it just doesn't work for me." Faith says, "Lord Jesus, I believe Your word. You can make me free. I ask You to do that for me."
Freedom in Christ is never earned nor deserved. It's always a gift, a gift to be received by faith. It's the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ which sets us free from bondage.
Lord Jesus, set us free from all bondage.
