Wednesday 21 November 2012

REAL FREEDOM


READ: LUKE 1:70-80

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is good news because it is about freedom. This is the only Gospel that offers man, irrespective of race, colour, sex, tribe, status, educational level and so on, true and lasting freedom. It is also the only faith that, after stipulating an acceptable code of living, empowers adherents with the ability to conform. “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” (John 1:12).
The freedom that Jesus gives is all-embracing. The first and most important is freedom from sin. Matthew 1:21 says he will save his people from their sins. What is that evil habit or that thing you are addicted to? Is it hard drugs, sexual perversion, the occult? If you can come to Jesus, confess your sins, decide not to return to them and invite him into your life, you will not only be forgiven, but that yoke of sin in your life also will be destroyed and you will be free. Freedom from sickness, poverty, failure, enemies, satanic oppression and manipulation, and even trouble and danger are adequately obtainable from this Gospel. Beyond these, we can also obtain the desires of our hearts through Jesus.
“He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). If you want to be free, you must be born again. After this, according to John 8:31-32, you must continue in his word. To ‘continue’ here means to stay with, stick with Christ’s Word. This means you must expose yourself to his Word and hear it regularly (Romans 10:17). You must meditate on the Word you heard until it is understood (Psalm 1:1-3). You must accept the Word with your heart already prepared as good ground (Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23). You must put it into practice. Then your freedom in any time of trouble is guaranteed. There are professing disciples who love him only with their mouths but do not practise his Word. There are also true disciples who according to John 12:26 serve Jesus and do what he says. Where do you belong?

MEMORIZE: ROMANS 8:32 –He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?