So far, in our series about Biblical words that begin with the letter “F,” we’ve talked about:
Today, we’ll reflect on “Freedom,” what it means and how we can acquire it according to the Bible.
To help us with that, we’ll use John 8. I encourage you to read the entire chapter, which will help you make better sense of the three verses we’ll focus on verses 31, 32, and 33.
Biblical freedom draws on two major important truths that we discuss next.
Jesus is greater than any law
Much of everything in life, we define it based on our human law or what defines our ways of life. Sometimes, these guiding laws come from our personal values. Other times, they come out of our societal laws.
There’s a story in John 8 that kind of alludes to that. Read about it in verses 1 through 11.
It’s the story of a woman who’s caught in adultery. And, because of the Jewish law, given to them through Moses, she deserved to be stoned to death.
Of course, there is so much unfairness, you and I, people living in the twenty-first century, would raise about the situation as described in the story.
The question would be: “why only the woman had to be stoned to death?”
That sounds so unfair. Doesn’t it?
In that context and time, it was the Law. And, everyone had to follow it word by word. But, Jesus is going to change it all.
The people who brought this woman to Jesus were expecting Jesus to affirm the law of Moses. However, Jesus responds to them saying:
Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her. John 8:7.
After saying those words, Jesus bent down and continued to write on the ground.
John doesn’t tell us what Jesus was exactly writing down. But, I would say that there was some connection between his response and the ground (dust, clay, sand).
I could say that Jesus was reminding the people who wanted to condemn the woman are also sinners just as she is.
[bctt tweet=”Jesus’ mission for coming to the world wasn’t to condemn us using the Law of Moses. He came as an embodiment of God’s living Word, the Logos (see John 1). ” username=”emmanuelnaweji”]
That’s exactly what he is going to tell the woman,
Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” John 8:10-11.
Jesus said that
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Matthew 5:17.
That makes Jesus greater than the Law and the Prophets, which are void and empty if not observed out of a personal relationship with Jesus.
Let me explain what I mean by that.
In the eyes of the Law, the woman was condemned to death. But, when the leaders brought her to Jesus, she is no longer condemned.
That’s what John 8:10-11 says, as stated above.
[bctt tweet=”Every time we are in the presence of God through Jesus, no matter how messed up we may be or how big is our sin, we find forgiveness as well as freedom from sin. ” username=”emmanuelnaweji”]
So, people will always find some flaws or bad in you and condemn you as a result. But, Jesus sees himself in you and does not condemn you for as long as you abide in his presence just like the woman in the story.
Jesus is the Light of the World
Now that you are in the presence of Christ, just like the woman in John 8, the only thing Jesus wants from you is to go your way and sin no more.
But, do not go alone. Invite Jesus to walk with you every single day of your life.
[bctt tweet=”Our freedom also means that Jesus has moved us from a place of darkness to where we see God’s light.” username=”emmanuelnaweji”]
Yes, through Christ, the blind can see on all levels of life. We are more aware of how sinful we are and begin to learn more about how to overcome whatever sin or demons we face on a daily basis in our lives.
What you and I have to do today
There is only one thing Christ would like us to do today: abide in God’s Word.
Read John 8:31-33,
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”
Based on the above scripture, two things come out choosing to abide in God’s word:
- You learn and know the truth.
- The truth will set you free.
That’s it. But, how do we abide in God’s Word?
[bctt tweet=”Abiding in God’s Word should never be overwhelming or burdensome. It’s as simple as having a great friend with whom you want to hang out every single day. ” username=”emmanuelnaweji”]
Over the centuries, and with the institutionalization of what we call church today, it often feels like doing so is hard work.
It shouldn’t. It is this organic desire to learn more about the person you hang out with, and who is Jesus in this case. Out of that desire to learn and know more about him, you discover and learn more about yourself too.
As a result, you experience freedom. You can see clearly. You become stronger and more powerful than your instincts, sinful desires, and all the temptations society can throw at us.
In conclusion
Anyone can experience freedom through faith in Christ. To do so, you’ve got to choose to abide in Christ and hang out with him as often as you can. This freedom results from the desire to learn and know more about who Christ is.
