AM I FREE?
- Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
- 13 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Readings:
Daniel 3:14-20,24-25,28
Daniel 3:52-56
John 8:31-42
I used to think that freedom meant doing whatever I wanted until I discovered this. Jesus proclaims, “The truth will set you free” (John 8:32). Later in John’s Gospel, He declares, “I am the truth”, making it clear that true freedom is found in Him (John 14:6). As He states in today’s Gospel passage, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).
Christian freedom is not about following our desires but about living by God’s will. True freedom is the willingness to become the person that God created you to be, by following Christ’s footsteps and using your gifts for His glory. There is simply no freedom outside him. True freedom is to live for God. It liberates you from sin, fear, and everything that holds you back from becoming your true self.
Three things keep us as slaves to false freedom:
Fear (described by some as “False Evidence Appearing Real”): King Nebuchadnezzar was shocked to discover that the fear of him was not the most powerful force in his empire, simply because three young men would not bow down to him even in the face of death. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego answered to a Higher Authority (God). If you are filled with faith in God (whether He gets you out of trouble or carries you through it), you are truly free, and fear has no power over you. May God increase your faith in Him and set you free from useless fear through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Ignorance: This is a problem because if you do not know who you are and what God has done for you, anyone can lie to you. Remember always, you are a child of God, He has set you free from the power of death, and assures you of eternal life and happiness. Anything else that anyone will offer you here on earth pales in comparison to God’s gift through the death and resurrection of Christ (Philippians 3:8). If you knew the greatness of God’s love for you, you will never submit to the false promises of this world (the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life, 1 John 2:16). May God grant you true knowledge of yourself and all the goodness that He has placed in you in Jesus’ name.
Irresponsibility: The biggest obstacle to true freedom is a blatant refusal to take responsibility for our actions and their resulting consequences. Most people flee from responsibility, especially when their actions affect others negatively. Forget the fact that your wrongful actions are often done in private; they are making you a slave to yourself (selfishness). Irresponsibility is captured in the phrase “I cannot help it”. You can help it. You need to be responsible for your life and refuse to be a slave to anything else but God (and He has set you free). Through the power of the Holy Spirit, may God grant you grace, strength, love and self-control. Amen.
Task: Prayerfully read, meditate, and memorise 1 Timothy 1:7.
JUDE-MARY OWOH
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer out. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! You are welcome into the body of Christ. Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, spirit of love, power and self-control, reveal to me the freedom that comes from claiming my place as Christ’s disciple, of courage, selfless service and a desire to spread the light of God’s kingdom through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lord, I cherish the freedom You have given me at the cost of Your death and resurrection. May I use it to serve you, refusing to submit to selfishness and evil but always spreading the light of truth, love and peace. Amen.
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