Today’s Reading: John 8:31-38
Hearing God’s Voice for Today:
“Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you abide in my words, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free…Everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.’”
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Jesus didn’t call people to merely make decisions about him. He called them to be his disciples. A decision is merely a starting point. A disciple is one who is constantly learning from him.
A true disciple is one who abides in the Lord’s words. To abide means to let his life continually live in and through you. You are his disciple when you walk with him daily. There is a continual conversation between you two. There is a developing trust in and obedience to him.
One major benefit of abiding in Jesus’ word is that you will know the truth. As he indwells you, he will guide you into all truth.
And when you know his truth, you will be set free. This is a promise for all his disciples.
Jesus came to earth to set all captives free from the power of sin and death. He wants to remove all the chains that hinder you from being the person he intended you to be. He came to give you abundant life, not imprisonment. Everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. Whenever you give in to sin, you increasingly become a slave to that sin. You can’t enjoy life as Jesus intended when you are enslaved to sin.
How does he set you free? By giving you a new identity. You are adopted into his family. You are no longer a slave, but a son or daughter of the King of the universe. A slave cannot live permanently in the master’s house. After working in the house, he must leave and return to his slave quarters. A slave also finds his identity solely in the chores he does daily for the master.
It’s different with you! When you come to Jesus, you are not only forgiven, but also adopted into his family. You become a permanent member of and resident in the Father’s house. You are forever a part of his family. You share his name. You’re an heir of all he owns. There are no fears of expulsion from his house—ever!
In addition, your identity is no longer defined by what you do, but by who you are because of your adoption. You don’t live in fear of the master’s punishment. Your spirit now hears daily from the Holy Spirit that you are an adopted, beloved child of the King of kings. You are free from all condemnation.
Please learn this truth: To be free from sin, you must love something more than the sin. When you know the Father’s love, you know your new identity as a son or daughter. Then you will live according to your new identity.
You behave like you believe.
This truth will set you free from being a slave to sin and guilt. That’s not who you are in Christ. You are a son or daughter of the King of the universe.
Now be free—indeed!
[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]