Our Search For Freedom.

John 8:34-36 (King James Version )

34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Jack Reece of Panama City, Florida, recounts his experience of helping a friend who lived on a farm. They were working on a barbed-wire fence which surrounded a lush green pasture. As Reece worked alongside his friend, something peculiar caught his attention. He couldn't help but notice that between each of the barbs, there were several strands of differently colored hair. He wondered about this and decided to ask his friend about the strange sight. He was told that no matter how wide an area the fence covered, or how much green grass there was in the center of the field, the cattle will graze just inside fence, right along the edge. Often, the cattle will even stick their heads through the fence to eat the grass on the other side. And as they press against the fence, their hairs would become trapped between the barbs.

Concerning this experience, Reece made the following observation: "Even animals want to be free!"

Freedom is a precious commodity for the human race as well. Yet, as is inscribed on a Korean War memorial in Washington D.C., "Freedom is not free." Someone has to pay the price for our liberty.

What is true of our national liberty is also true for each of us, spiritually! Due to our sin, NONE of us is free; we are ALL "shackled" by sin. Jesus said, "Whoever commits sin is a "slave of sin" (John 8:34). Now "ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23), and the wages or "PAYCHECK" that we receive for SIN - is DEATH (Romans 6:23).

Thankfully, someone HAS paid the price for our liberty! His name is Jesus, and He paid the price for our redemption when He died on the cross for our sins. And that is GOOD NEWS!! EVERY man and woman in bondage to sin who is crying on the inside, "LET ME OUT!" needs to know that he/she can be set FREE because of what Jesus did on that Roman cross.

We receive the benefits of Christ's sacrificial death when we respond in faith: (Romans 5:1), placing our trust in Him (Acts 16:31), repenting of our sins (Acts 2:38), confessing Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed) so that our sins can be washed away (Acts 22:16). Christ KEEPS us free from the bondage of sin... as long as we continue to put Him FIRST and live according to His will (1 John 1:7).

"Therefore... if the Son makes you FREE, you shall be FREE INDEED!" (John 8:36).

Jesus has PAID the price for your freedom. Why not make today the day you accept the gift of freedom.

Dear Lord we thank You for the freedom we have because of what You have done for each of us. Help us share that freedom today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.