It’s not circumstances that restrict true freedom

Have you ever wanted to be free from worry … free from the feeling of being ’stuck’ in a situation over which you have no control? There is a desire, especially in the West, for freedom to do and be whoever and whatever we want and not be accountable to anyone. In this passage Jesus tells the Jewish followers they are not free unless they hold to his teaching. If they do this they will know the truth and the truth will set them free.

We see in the Jews response that they misunderstood this …’We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone.’ Jesus goes on to say ‘everyone who sins is a slave to sin.’ In this he is trying to show them that the real bondage they need to be set free from is sin. Sin and the guilt which comes from it has a type of paralysing effect on peoples’ lives.

The real freedom, which everyone needs, can only be found in Jesus Christ and what he has accomplished on the cross as a substitute. That is why he says ‘if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.’ Those who are truly free know that, through faith, all their sins, past, present and future, have been forgiven. They have a clear conscience before God. This is to be ‘free indeed.’