Freedom is a subject much in the news today, but few know of the true freedom
which is in Christ.
A much used Bible reference on this is John 8:32,
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. This
is used many times as a salvation theme, but actually it was spoken to very
religious (but lost) Jews. Even borrowed out of its context, this verse has
a wonderful message for everyone today. In verse 36 of the same chapter,
our Lord refers to Himself as the Son,
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
The truth and the Son are interchangeable, so Christ is truth personified.
This is truth that men everywhere need to know.
Freedom in Christ from the standpoint of salvation can be considered in three
ways:
1. Freedom from the Penalty of Sin. The only thing that stands between
God and man is man's sin. When we let Him, God takes care of this perfectly
and completely, In Whom we have redemption
through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His
grace (Eph 1:7).
2. Freedom from the Power of Sin.
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but under
grace. This is God's promise if we yield service and obedience to righteousness
(v 16). It is not uncommon to hear
of believers enjoying victory over the old man of sin, but the shackles of
religion and tradition which have been propagated by Christendom for centuries
still bind the overwhelming majority to this day. God does not free believers
from these chains until they fully believe and obey His Word rightly divided.
Pride of race kept the Jews mentioned in John 8 in the power of sin. They
gave mental assent to what He said until He claimed to be equal to God and
the only One that could save them from sin. Then the very ones who believed
were ready to kill Him. The power of sin should make us tremble and cause
us to cling the harder to our Saviour.
3. Freedom from the Presence of Sin. This will take place with the
resurrections. The bodies we have in resurrection will not sin, even if exposed
to it, and will be fit for a perfect environment. This should make us
shout with joy! Bless God!
