Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Freedom Series: How to Secure True Freedom Indeed

True Freedom exists in Christ alone and is secured by following the recipe Jesus offered in the Gospel of John. As is the case with so many 'famous' Scriptures, many people try to apply this Word in a way that suits them rather than the way God originally intended. Why is that important? Because doing things God's way guarantees God's results. Just as all people crave true love, which by the way is only found in God, ("God is love," 1 John 4:8) so we all yearn for freedom. These are truly man's chief quests. Here we focus on the search for true freedom.

But how to achieve t, I mean really, achieve it? Hint: It is possible to be free...but it only exists in Christ. Jesus laid out the steps to true freedom in John 8:31-35.

First the definition of freedom: 


free·dom
ˈfrēdəm/
noun
  1. the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.
    "we do have some freedom of choice"
 (Source: Defition of freedom)


Here is the progression Jesus taught 
for achieving true freedom:

John 8:31-35 :

31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”
34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

Breaking it down into bite sized morsels

Action - Our Responsibility: Abide(Continue) in His Word
What does this mean? The word "abide" is the Greek word "men'-o" "It is a 

primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy): - abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), X thine own.

        Result 1: And thereby be His disciples indeed (His true followers)

We only have to read the Bible to know what Jesus' disciples did and how they lived. They were always with Him. They knew He was IT, the Man, the One upon Whom everything in the universe hung. The Messiah. There was no other to come after Him and there was none like Him before He came on the scene, or since. Through Him, mankind's final hope, a Hedge against certain destruction. But to be His disciple requires today exactly what it did then, continuing to follow Him and to obey His Word. 

        Result 2: You shall know the truth (in a world full of deception)

It's impossible to spend time with Jesus Christ and be easily deceived. In other words, the closer we get to Him, Who is Truth and the Light of the World, see clearer and clearer. We fall prey to deception when we stray from the Lord and His centrality in our lives. Of course, other things compete for our attention all day long but more and more we need to vigorously protect our time and commitment to the Lord.

        Result 3: The truth shall make you free

Deception and all its elements tend to fall away the closer we get to the Lord. John 1:1-5, a favorite, favorite Scripture of mine, tells us (paraphrased):

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him and there was nothing made without Him that was made. In Him was the life and the life was the light of men, and the lights shone in the darkness and the darkness could not overcome it.

Who is the Word? Jesus Christ. He was in the beginning. He is the means by which God, Who is Spirit, made everything. He is also the Light of the world. What has to go when there is light? Darkness, hidden things, deception. So you see how intimacy with Christ not only keeps us on the path of Truth but it keeps us from being deceived. We are not blinded.

So here the truth makes us free from bondage to sin and deception, which itself, is designed to lead us into sin and eventually death.

        Result 4: If the Son frees you, you are free indeed (really free!)

Jesus is not speaking here about the "freedom" which Peter later warned of, essentially, leaving one form of bondage only to be given over to another.[See in Peter where he talks about returning to bondage of those who are themselves in bondage about the false teachers.]
Both Jesus and Peter recognize that true freedom only comes through Jesus Christ. See 2 Peter 2 about the deceptions, destructive doctrine, doom, depravity, and deceptions of false teachers. This is a chapter worth memorizing as is much of Scripture. Yet, we are living in the days of rampant deception that seeks primarily to ensnare the believer. Here is just a taste of Peter's warning to believers then and now: 
But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.  And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.
(2 Peter 2:1-2 -  NKJV)
Finally, the freedom the Lord offers, once received, must be followed by total submission to Him in order to remain free. The "free indeed", means "really" free, free, as the little kids say, "for keeps". It also means free "in deed". That means our words, thoughts, and actions align with that freedom. Realizing that none of us get it right 100% of the time, the Lord is looking at the leanings of the heart. Are we quick to genuinely repent and trust Him to work through us to avoid the enemy's traps? Are we walking according to the leading of the Holy Spirit or are we led by our own desires? The Lord knows our brokenness and also those who truly love Him.

So if the Son has freed you, "Hallelujah!" If you are still seeking freedom, follow what the Lord Jesus Christ has said in the Scripture in John 8:31-32 and pray, pray, pray and pray some more. Get others you trust to join you in prayer until you see results. Then......

Help someone else. That is a great way to remain free. Help others to achieve their freedom by telling them about how He set you at liberty. You would be surprise how many would listen.

Let's pray. 

PRAYER FOR FREEDOM AND INCREASED COMMITMENT AND DISCERNMENT:

Dear Lord, how you have shown your love for us, over and over again. Many times we have ignored or failed to respond to that love. Now Lord, we are ready to submit to your rule and commit, truly commit, to your ways. 

Jesus, we need You especially in this season, this time. We are closing in on the time of your return and we want to remain in your word so that we can be ready to receive You. But Lord, until the time of Your return, we are in need of more discernment to know truth from lies. 

Help us, Lord! We are bankrupt and without You we cannot do anything worthwhile. 

Father, thank you for providing the Way, the Truth, and The Life in Jesus, that we might all be free if we choose to be. 

Lord, I want to continue in your Word, I want to be Your true disciple, I want to know the truth, I want to be free! 

You know my frame, that I am weak, but Lord, I know that when I am weak, then you are strong. 

You provided the Holy Spirit to help me in times of weakness. I now submit to you my whole being afresh and anew. I am keeping my eye on the Prize. Lord Jesus, thank you for hearing my prayer. I love You and cherish You. Have Your way, Lord, in Jesus mighty and matchless name we pray. Amen.

For more, pick up my books Here on Amazon.