Sunday, July 24, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Real Freedom
This is the fourth of July weekend. Monday is the day known to most Americans as, "Independence Day," because it is the day of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This document declared the American colonies' independence from Britain. As we think of, and appreciate our independence, let us stop and consider that there is a greater independence than from tyranny.
In John 8:3-32, Jesus says, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Jesus' audience was confused about what it was that the truth would make them free from. They responded, "We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?" (John 8:33). What did Jesus have in mind? What was the "truth," and from what would it make men free? Paul writes in Romans 6:16-18, "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." He writes in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." So everyone is, or was a servant of sin!
Paul speaks of "the truth," and "doctrine," that makes one free from bondage to sin. This is the truth that Jesus spoke of. Jesus says that God's Word is Truth (John 17:17). What truth specifically makes one free? Paul writes in 1 Cor 15:1-4, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." So, we are saved by the Gospel. What is the Gospel? The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as prophesied in the Old Testament Scriptures. So the "truth" that "shall make you free" is the Gospel. Without the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, there could be no freedom from sin.
The Christian's Independence Day was the day Jesus died on the cross. But, one is not automatically saved just because Jesus died. Neither is he saved as soon as he believes the Gospel. Though the Declaration was signed on July 4, 1776, the colonies did not officially receive freedom until the signing of Treaty of Paris, on September 3, 1783, ending the Revolutionary War.
When is one freed from sin? When he has "obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered" (Rom. 6:17). Remember, Jesus said, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." If you have not obeyed, why not do so right away? For more information on what you need to do to be saved, see The Greatest Plan Of Salvation.
http://www.strasburgchurchofchrist.webs.com
In John 8:3-32, Jesus says, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Jesus' audience was confused about what it was that the truth would make them free from. They responded, "We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?" (John 8:33). What did Jesus have in mind? What was the "truth," and from what would it make men free? Paul writes in Romans 6:16-18, "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." He writes in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." So everyone is, or was a servant of sin!
Paul speaks of "the truth," and "doctrine," that makes one free from bondage to sin. This is the truth that Jesus spoke of. Jesus says that God's Word is Truth (John 17:17). What truth specifically makes one free? Paul writes in 1 Cor 15:1-4, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." So, we are saved by the Gospel. What is the Gospel? The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as prophesied in the Old Testament Scriptures. So the "truth" that "shall make you free" is the Gospel. Without the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, there could be no freedom from sin.
The Christian's Independence Day was the day Jesus died on the cross. But, one is not automatically saved just because Jesus died. Neither is he saved as soon as he believes the Gospel. Though the Declaration was signed on July 4, 1776, the colonies did not officially receive freedom until the signing of Treaty of Paris, on September 3, 1783, ending the Revolutionary War.
When is one freed from sin? When he has "obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered" (Rom. 6:17). Remember, Jesus said, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." If you have not obeyed, why not do so right away? For more information on what you need to do to be saved, see The Greatest Plan Of Salvation.
http://www.strasburgchurchofchrist.webs.com
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