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Kent Hughes · Citado em PreceptAustin
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Hughes - The Israelites in the desert kept their attention on the cloud (Ex 13:21-22). They watched its configuration to see when and where it would move. At night they walked in its light. No matter how dark the night, when they were under the luminous cloud there was no stumbling, no confusion, no fear. Jesus provides similar benefits for those of us who know Him, for we have the light of life. Therefore we can have courage though dwelling in a dark world. Have you ever tried going through an obstacle course blindfolded? The smallest obstacles become difficult obstructions. If we are not walking in the light of Christ, the obstacles that should not be a problem are great stumbling blocks to us. But when we have that light, we understand how to make our way through this dark world. (See John: That You May Believe) John speaks to walking in the light "If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1Jn 1:6-7+) Ray
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Hughes - Notice what Christ announced concerning himself: “I am the light of the world.” Those great torches (see pix above) symbolized the Shekinah glory. Christ was saying in effect, “Do you remember the pillar that came between you and the Egyptians near the Red Sea, the pillar that protected you and led you on your wanderings in the wilderness? I am the Light of the world. I am identified with that Shekinah glory.” What a statement! At the very least Jesus was claiming to be God. His conscious identification with the pillar of fire reveals something about his incarnation. Within the cloud that led Israel through the wilderness, there was always a heart of fire that shone forth at night but was sheathed by day. When our Lord came, he sheathed his glory in flesh so we could look upon him. Time and again God is called light in the Old Testament. Almost the last verse in the Old Testament (Malachi 4:2) speaks of Jesus. When Simeon took the baby Jesus in his arms in the temple he sang Luke 1:78-79. Jesus, in John 8, was not only saying he is the light of the world, but that the benefits and comforts that came with the cloud in the wilderness came from him. What a precious, wonderful truth! He is saying, “I was the One who protected you. I guided you through the wilderness. It was I who enveloped the tabernacle. It was I who came into the temple of Solomon and filled it with such glory that the priests could not serve. I am the Shekinah glory.” Such was the claim he made for himself. Living in this dark world, we need to keep this supreme claim before us. Jesus is the light of life in every way. He is the answer. Some of us may be stumbling along, wondering what life is all about. We may feel barely able to take another step. We are confused. Christ says to us, “I am the light of life.” (See John: That You May Believe) Henry Morris on I am the Light - This is the second of the great "I am" statements of Christ in the gospel of John (John 6:35) which compares Him to the sun. Physically speaking, the sun is the life and light of the physical world (Genesis 1:14-16; John 1:4,9; Revelation 21:23-25; 22:5). Christ indeed did create the sun and even now sustains its life-giving radiations (Hebrews 1:3). I am (ego eimi) the Light (phos) of the world (kosmos) - The use of I Am (the Greek ego eimi) signifies that Jesus is claiming His DEITY. And He did not say He was "a light" (as among many), but that He was THE Light, the one and only Light to give spiritual enlightenment to the spiritually dark world. THOUGHT: Show this passage to your skeptical friends who say He never claimed to be God! The Lord’s claim to deity was emphatic being the very first thing He said in this passage. We are so used to hearing this declaration, that we fail to get a sense of the impact this statement would have had on the hearers. It sounds somewhat egocentric unless the person saying it is God. One can imagine the surprised reaction of the Jews and the shock of the religious leaders (Jn 8:13). This is the same Man who had also recently proclaimed "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst." (Jn 6:35) And then even more recently He declared "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water." (Jn 7:37-38) So the same Man Who had claimed He was the bread of life and was the source of drink to the thirsty, not claimed to be the Light. Jesus' bold claims demanded a verdict! The did then and they still do today! Have you believed in Jesus as your Savior? Do not miss that Jesus does not say He is only the Light of the Jews, but of the world, for the whole world lies in spiritual darkness and needs His Light. And so the promise of Light of the world means that Jesus' light is available to entire world. As
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Hughes adds that "C. S. Lewis once noted that the heavens only reflect or suggest the glory of God, but we share the glory of God with Christ. We will be more glorious than the heavens! In The Weight of Glory (see page 24) Lewis says: "Nature is mortal. We shall outlive her. When all the suns and nebulae have passed away, each one of you will still be alive. Nature is only the image, the symbol, but it is a symbol Scripture invites me to use. We are summoned to pass through nature beyond her to the splendor which she fitfully reflects." I believe that with all my heart. I do not understand it, but I believe there is a glory awaiting every Christian that involves, in some way, shining forth. I do not know if we will be 100 watts or 200, 300, or 1,000! We might be like fireflies. But somehow we are going to enter into the fame and approval of God, and we will be glorious beings far beyond all imagination." (See John: That You May Believe) Ray Stedman on light of Life - He not only gives me light so that I do not walk in darkness, but, more than that, I "will have the light of life." He makes us light as well, in other words. The life he gives us becomes a light to others, and we begin to help them also (Mt 5:14-16+, Php 2:15+). That is the beautiful picture these words convey. Henry Morris on light of Life - Note the profound prophetic significance of this claim of Christ. It is as strong an assertion of omnipotent deity as one could imagine, but it does not sound conceited or insane as it would have if it had come from any other man. Rather, it has proved prophetically true for 2000 years. He has been the light of the world--the inspiration for the world's greatest music and art, its most dedicated hospitals and missions, its greatest and most influential nations and governments. Furthermore, millions of individuals who have followed Him have testified that He was the light of their lives as they walked, not in darkness, but in the light of life.
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Hughes - The spiritual freedom that comes to us is as dramatically different as that of a slave and a son. The son is in the house and has access to everything. He can go wherever he wants to go. He can stay as long as he wants to stay. But the slave has no rights. If you are a slave to sin, the son’s freedoms are not yours. (See John: That You May Believe) David Thompson - The slave does not remain in the house forever. I understand this to mean this - the person who is enslaved to some sin will eventually leave the fellowship of those truly right with God because they were really not part of the family of God. A real child of God will remain in the fellowship of a place zeroed in on God’s truth, on God’s Word. But a phony will get out. Kostenberger - In both Palestine and the Hellenistic world, households included slaves as well as sons. For Jewish slaves, this dependent relationship lasted only six years; in the seventh year, they must be set free. In the Greco-Roman world, too, slaves occasionally were granted freedom, though this was not formally mandated. (See John - Page 263)
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Hughes - Christ, “the Son,” is the One who enjoys freedom par excellence, and he is the One who gives us that freedom. The freedom we enjoy is the freedom that Christ enjoys. The freest Being in all the universe pumps freedom into our lives that He describes as “free indeed.” Freedom to rise above our sins, freedom to live a holy life. Freedom that we never had before—the freedom to choose the right, the freedom to choose the best, the freedom to keep on growing, the freedom to reach our potential. That is to be free indeed, and it comes, according to our text, from abiding in the Word of God, from knowing and doing God’s Word. (See John: That You May Believe) THOUGHT- THIS THOUGHT CONTINUES WITH HUGHES' CRITICAL CAVEAT - "KNOWING AND DOING GOD'S WORD!" THIS IS THE KEY. YOU CAN KNOW GOD'S WORD, EVEN MEMORIZE GOD'S WORD, BUT IF YOU ARE NEGLIGENT IN OBEYING OR OUTRIGHTLY REFUSING TO OBEY IT [YOU CAN ONLY OBEY AS YOU ARE ENABLED BY THE SPIRIT], THEN THE TRUTH IS THAT YOU ARE "SPINNING YOUR WHEELS!" YOU ARE DECEIVING YOURSELF INTO THINKING THAT KNOWING THE WORD EQUATES WITH TRUE FREEDOM. THAT IS A LIE FROM THE PIT OF HELL! THE PHARISEES KNEW THE WORD [AT LEAST TO SOME EXTENT] BUT THEY DID NOT OBEY THE WORD AND JESUS CALLED THEM HYPOCRITES! BELOVED, DON'T BE A HYPOCRITE, WEEKLY GOING TO A SERIOUS BIBLE STUDY AND YET WEEKLY REFUSING TO WALK IN THE TRUTH THAT YOU ARE LEARNING! THAT IS NOT FREEDOM BUT DECEPTION AND COULD POTENTIALLY EVEN LEAD TO BONDAGE TO SOME SIN! LOOK OUT! BELOVED HOW HAS YOUR OBEDIENCE TO JESUS' WORD BEEN THIS PAST WEEK? YOUR DEGREE OF FREEDOM WILL BE IN DIRECT PROPORTION TO YOUR OBEDIENCE! David Thompson - Jesus Christ has the power to break any sin that enslaves you. Any addiction. No counselor can do this, no twelve step program can do this, no pill can do this - only Jesus Christ can do this You will be free (eleutheros) indeed (really, in reality, essentially): What a prophetic ("will") promise! Have you partaken of this incredible promise? You will be capable of free movement without being obligated to obey our old taskmaster SIN! Those whom Jesus Christ liberates from the tyranny of sin and the bondage of legalism are really free (Ro 8:2+; Gal 5:1+). Believers Study Bible - "Freedom given by Christ is the only true freedom. Delivered from the shackles and the bondage of sin, a Christian can do what he ought, and is no longer bound to his evil desires (cf. Ro 6:11-14+). The unsaved man indulges in sin and has NO POWER over it. Sin is in control (ED: cf Jn 8:34!). Sin binds him. Christ's offer is freedom from such bondage, and a life that wills to please God (Ed: And how can we walk in a manner worthy to please Him? Read Php 2:13NLT+ where God is surely the indwelling Spirit who continually energizes us, giving us the DESIRE and the POWER to kill sin! Ro 8:13+)." THOUGHT- When we were born again, Jesus gave us the Gift of the Spirit Who now indwells us and empowers us to live as more than conquerors over those sins that so easily entangle us! Are you experiencing the Spirit filled/empowered life? If not you might want to read the discussion of The Holy Spirit-Walking Like Jesus Walked! Long my imprisoned spirit lay Fast bound in sin and nature’s night; Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray, I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; My chains fell off, my heart was free; I rose, went forth and followed Thee. Believer's Study Bible - Freedom given by Christ is the only true freedom. Delivered from the shackles and the bondage of sin, a Christian can do what he ought, and is no longer bound to his evil desires as this woman had been (cf. Rom. 6:11-14). The unsaved man indulges in sin and has no power over it. Sin is in control. Sin binds him. Christ's offer is freedom from such bondage, and a life that wills to please God and does. Reformation Study Bible - True freedom is to serve God, to fulfill the purposes of those specially created in God's image. Sin deprives us of this fulfillment because sin clouds our minds, degrades our feelings, and enslaves our wills. This is what the Reformers called "total depravity"; its only remedy is the grace of God in spiritual rebirth (Jn 3:3+). See "Christian Liberty" at Gal. 5:1+. Free (1659) eleutheroo = the ending " -oo" means not only will it be set free but it will be seen as set free) means to cause someone to be freed from domination. The picture is that of the emancipation of slaves. The idea is that the one set free is at liberty, capable of movement, exempt from obligation or liability, and unfettered. Although the act of setting free results in freedom and liberty we must understand that this new freedom is not a license to sin. In fact true liberty for the believer is now living as we should and not as we please. The Spirit, Who brought the life of God Himself into us, has set us free from the power of our flesh and free to be the person God wants us to be. In Romans 7:24 Paul asked "Who shall deliver me?" The answer given in this verse is that: "Christ has already delivered me!" The last part of Romans chapter 7 was a description of a believer's struggling, failing condition. In Romans 8 Paul encourages the believer to focus upon his perfect, unfailing position in Christ Jesus! The more we believe God’s facts about our position the more this will affect our actual condition! Pritchard writes that the fact that you have been set free means "You don't have to sin any more. You don't have to live in defeat any more. You don't have to be down any more. You don't have to go years and years and years committing the same old dumb sins over and over again. Why? Because the law of the spirit of life of Jesus Christ has set you free. Therefore, if you choose to dwell in sin, if you choose to be defeated, it's because you've chosen to live that way, not because you must live that way. (Romans 8:1-4: No Condemnation) Free (1658) eleutheros is an adjective which means freedom to go wherever one likes, at liberty, possessing the capability of movement, exempt from restraint, obligation or liability, unconstrained, unfettered. In the Greek culture this word pictured one who can go wherever they please) (from Homer down). For example, in one secular writing we find this statement "the temple of Artemis at Ephesus is open (free) to all". The opposite idea of eleutheros is that which depicts or characterizes a state of enslavement. Chuck Swindoll has an excellent illustration of the meaning of the verb eleutheros....Back in the nineteenth century our sixteenth president realized something radical must be done about slavery in our country. Unwilling to look the other way any longer, on September 22, 1862, he presented what came to be known as the Emancipation Proclamation, an official document condemning human slavery. Abraham Lincoln, realizing that slavery is completely against human dignity, officially abolished it from the United States on that day. Tragically, little changed in the daily life of our nation, even though the slaves were officially declared free. You know why; you’ve read the stories. The Civil War was still going on. The plantation owners never informed their slaves. The vast majority of the former slaves couldn’t read, so they had no idea what the news was carrying. There was no mass media then to announce those kinds of presidential pronouncements. And so for the longest time, slavery continued even though it had been officially brought to an end. The war ended in April 1865. Do you know when Lincoln’s declaration was officially enacted? When the people finally began to leave their enslaved lives and make their way toward freedom? December 18, 1865—more than three years after he first released his proclamation. Lincoln had been dead for months. The word traveled out of the streets of Washington and down into the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, across the back roads of the Carolinas and into Georgia, then Alabama, then Mississippi, then Louisiana, then Texas, then Arkansas, announcing what had been true for more than a thousand days. Even then the word somehow either wasn’t believed or wasn’t acted upon. Those officially emancipated people, thinking slavery was the way they were condemned to exist, continued to live in bondage though they had been declared free men and women since the fall of 1862. (BORROW Embraced by the Spirit The Untold Blessings of Intimacy with God) QUESTION - What does it mean that we are free indeed (John 8:36)? ANSWER - In John 8 Jesus exhorts His listeners that if they abide in His word they would be truly His disciples, they would know the truth, and that truth would make them free (John 8:31–32). They were a bit surprised to hear that because, as they were descendants of Abraham, they thought they had never been enslaved (John 8:33). Jesus then explained that, if a person is committing sin, that person is enslaved by sin, and slavery is not fitting for sons (John 8:34–35). But if the Son—Jesus says, referring to Himself—makes us free, then we “are free indeed” (John 8:36). He is the Son who remains forever, so what He determines shall stand. When He gives the recipe that we are “free indeed,” it is a reliable recipe because of who He is. The condition for becoming “free indeed” is that His hearers should abide (or dwell) in His word. He later explains that keeping His word results in eternal life (John 8:52), and He challenges His hearers that they need to believe in Him (John 8:46). The apostle Paul gives us a further implication of “we are free indeed” (John 8:36). After expressing that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1), Paul adds that in Christ Jesus we have been set free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). Because of that new freedom, we are no longer in bondage to sinfulness, and now we can choose righteousness (Romans 9:12–15). Peter adds a caution that we use this freedom not as an excuse for evil but that we use this freedom to walk in devoted service to God—as bondslaves (1 Peter 2:16). Jesus came offering something very special, and if we take Him at His word then we are free indeed. He is “the truth” (John 14:6), and He desires that we abide in Him and walk in Him. As He expresses in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Jesus wants to set us free from the curse of sin, shame, and death. He gave His own life so that we could be “free indeed” and asks us simply to believe in Him. The true freedom that Jesus gives is freedom (1) from the penalty of sin—there is no more condemnation for those in Him (Romans 8:1), and no longer are we children of wrath (Ephesians 2:1–3); (2) from the power of sin—no longer are we in bondage to sin, but now we can do righteousness; without faith it is impossible to please Him, but, with faith, we can please Him (Hebrews 11:6); and one day we will be free (3) from the presence of sin—when our eternal life is fulfilled, we will be like Him and without sin (Romans 8:28–30). GotQuestions.org (used by permission) Sinful Habits Can Be Broken If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. — John 8:36 Today's Scripture: Romans 6:11-23 A friend and I conducted an experiment. First I cut a length of cotton thread and knotted the ends together to make a loop. Then my friend held up both index fingers. I slipped the thread over them, he pulled them apart, and the thread broke quite easily. Next we knotted two strands together. These also broke, but it took more effort. However, three strands knotted together couldn’t be broken without cutting into his skin. Sinful habits are like that. It’s been said, “Habits that begin as cobwebs sometimes end as cables.” If repeated, they become more difficult to break. This applies to alcohol and drug abuse as well as worry and anger. Jesus came not only to forgive our sins but also to break their hold over us. When we receive Him as Lord and Savior and ask Him for deliverance, He also asks something of us—a willingness, with His help, to form new habits (Romans 6:19). As we fellowship with believers, study the Bible, and obey it daily, God will help us develop godly attitudes, actions, and reactions to life. Are you battling bad habits? Let God help you build new habits of righteousness. He’ll break those stubborn sinful habits and make you “free indeed” (John 8:36). By: Joanie Yoder The Addiction Of Us All If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. — John 8:36 Today's Scripture: John 8:21-36 “There, but for the grace of God, go I.” How often I’ve said that— especially when observing drug-addicted people. I think I say it humbly—but am I really sincere? In John 8, Jesus told His listeners that His truth could make them free (v.32). But weren’t they free already, they protested? So Jesus tightened the screws a bit more: “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” (v.34). In other words, sin is addictive. And since we’re all sinners, it’s the addiction of us all. At the heart of every person’s sin problem is a “self” habit that can be kicked only through Christ’s help. Many recovered drug addicts have found that their “self” habit is a deeper problem than their drug habit. That certainly is Ken’s story. After years of running from his problems through drugs and alcohol, he finally yielded his life to Christ. “Since then,” Ken testifies, “things haven’t always been smooth, but Christ has been transforming my selfish way of life. I was shocked to find that I was completely addicted to me!” We all battle that same addiction. Instead of flippantly saying, “There, but for the grace of God, go I,” we should say, “There go I.” No one is an exception. We’re all in need of the same grace. By: Joanie Yoder All that we were—our sins, our guilt, Our death—was all our own; All that we are we owe to Thee, Thou God of grace, alone. —Bonar God's grace saves the best and the worst of sinners. James Smith - CHRIST’S FREE MEN “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). There are many like these Jews, who say, “We never were in bondage to any man,” while every step they take you hear the clang of their shackles. While these boastful Jews talked of their freedom they were— 1. In bondage to the Romans. 2. In bondage to the letter of the law. 3. In bondage to pride and unbelief. Christ makes us free from— 1. The power of our enemies. 2. The broken law. 3. From the pride of life. It is a glorious freedom, but we shall notice— I. What it is Not. It is— 1. NOT FREEDOM FROM BODILY SUFFERING. The eleventh chapter of the Hebrews is abundant evidence to this. 2. NOT FREEDOM FROM DIVINE CHASTISEMENTS. To be without these is to be without a very impressive evidence of sonship (Heb. 12:8). 3. NOT FREEDOM FROM THE TEMPTATION OF SATAN (Matt. 4). The disciple will not escape, for the Master did not. “But count it all joy” (James 1:2). 4. NOT FREEDOM FROM THE PRESENCE OF SIN (1 John 1). This freedom we shall have when He shall change this vile body. II. What this Freedom Is. It is to be made free from the— 1. CURSE OF THE LAW (Gal. 3:10). “The law was holy, just and good” (a reflection of the Divine character), but the holy, just, and good can curse where there is violation and sin. 2. GUILT OF SIN (Rom. 8:33). There is now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus. Who shall lay anything to their charge? 3. DOMINION OF SIN (Rom. 6). Sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 4. POWER OF DARKNESS (Col. 1:13). Being liberated by the translating power of grace, we are no longer under the rule of Satan, but under the blessed government of the Prince of Peace. 5. FEAR OF MAN (Acts 4:18–20). The fear of man brings a snare and puts it on the hands, the feet, the tongue, the mind, and the heart, and hinders the Holy Ghost from working through us. 6. STING OF DEATH (1 Cor. 15:56, 57). “O death, where is thy sting?” The sting of death was sin. Sin was taken away by the Lamb of God. So the sting is gone, and we have freedom from it. III. The Responsibilities of the Freed. Let us not forget that ours is the— 1. FREEDOM OF SONS (1 John 3). Dishonour not the Father. 2. FREEDOM OF SERVANTS (1 Cor. 7:22). Be faithful to the Master. 3. FREEDOM OF WORSHIPPERS (Heb. 10:19). Come with boldness. IV. How He makes Free. 1. By COMING to Him. 2. By RESTING in Him. 3. By WORKING for Him. “Whom the Son makes free are free indeed” (John 8:36). FREEDOM - James Smith - JOHN 8:36 1. The Privilege spoken of. “Make you free.” What from? 2. The Nature of this freedom. “Free indeed.” What for? 3. The Character of the Deliverer. “If the Son,” What by? Oswald Chambers - Winning into freedom If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36. If there is any remnant of individual conceit left, it always says—‘I can’t.’ Personality never says—‘I can’t,’ but simply absorbs and absorbs. Personality always wants more and more. It is the way we are built. We are designed with a great capacity for God; and sin and our individuality are the things that keep us from getting at God. God delivers us from sin: we have to deliver ourselves from individuality, i.e., to present our natural life to God and sacrifice it until it is transformed into a spiritual life by obedience. God does not pay any attention to our natural individuality in the development of our spiritual life. His order runs right across the natural life, and we have to see that we aid and abet God, not stand against Him and say—‘I can’t do that.’ God will not discipline us, we must discipline ourselves. God will not bring every thought and imagination into captivity; we have to do it. Do not say—‘O Lord, I suffer from wandering thoughts.’ Don’t suffer from wandering thoughts. Stop listening to the tyranny of your individuality, and get emancipated out into personality. “If the Son shall make you free, …” Do not substitute ‘Saviour’ for ‘Son.’ The Saviour set us free from sin; this is the freedom of being set free by the Son. It is what Paul means in Gal. 2:20—“I have been crucified with Christ,” his natural individuality has been broken and his personality united with his Lord, not merged but united; “ye shall be free indeed,” free in essence, free from the inside. We will insist on energy, instead of being energized into identification with Jesus. The Rules Of Disengagement If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. — John 8:36 Today's Scripture: Genesis 50:15-21 In her book Throw Out Fifty Things, Gail Blanke outlines four “Rules of Disengagement” to help people clear the clutter from their lives. The first rule states: “If it . . . weighs you down, clogs you up, or just plain makes you feel bad about yourself, throw it out, give it away, sell it, let it go, move on.” I think this Rule of Disengagement has a spiritual application too: We don’t have to stay connected to past sin. Joseph’s brothers struggled with this. Years after they sold Joseph into slavery, they recalled their cruelty and feared revenge (Gen. 50:15). So they sent a message to Joseph, begging for forgiveness (vv.16-17). They did this despite previous merciful actions and reassurances from their brother (45:4-15). Many of us remain connected to age-old offenses despite mercy and forgiveness from those we may have hurt. However, true freedom comes when we confess our wrongdoing to God. He forgives it (1 John 1:9) and separates us from it (Ps. 103:12). As one verse puts it, He throws our sin into the depths of the sea! (Micah 7:19). Because of this, we can remind ourselves that the Son has made us free, and we are free indeed (John 8:36).By: Jennifer Benson Schuldt Russell Spray - How to Be Liberated “If the Son … shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). I. Discover Christ “Stand fast … in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free” (Gal. 5:1). A. Christ sets us free from sin. Through repentance and faith we are forgiven, cleansed, and made spiritually whole. B. Christ sets us free from sexual sins—adultery, fornication, and perversions. God will judge and punish those who commit such deeds (Gal. 5:19–21). II. Develop Confidence “… this is the confidence that we have in him … he heareth us” (John 5:14). A. Having placed our confidence in Christ, we are liberated from the fear of death and the judgment. B. The more we trust in Christ and His promises the stronger our confidence becomes. III. Disperse Compassion “… having compassion one of another …” (1 Peter 3:8). A. Christ was filled with compassion and understanding. He wants us to care for others, too. B. A concern for others brings freedom from resentment and self-centeredness. IV. Distribute Cheerfulness “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance” (Prov. 15:13). A. Cheerfulness liberates one from gloom, sadness, and discouragement. God is pleased when we rejoice in Him. B. Cheerfulness increases our effectiveness for God. It is evidence of the joy Christ gives. V. Display Courage “… be thou strong and very courageous …” (Josh. 1:7). A. Courage liberates one from cowardliness. A courageous Christian bravely takes his stand and moves ahead for God. B. A courageous Christian accepts the challenge to live and lift, to grow and go, to witness and win for the Lord. Bob Gass - Free (A Fresh Word for Today: 365 Insights for Daily Living) So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36, NIV) When your desire to go forward becomes greater than the memories of your past, you’ll begin to live again. Purpose always overcomes pain! Solomon said, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). Until you have a vision of tomorrow, you’ll always live in yesterday’s struggles. The very fact that God is putting desire back into your spirit again means that better days are coming. David said, “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13). When T. D. Jakes was a boy, he had a dog named Pup. He was a ferocious animal, so they kept him chained to a post in their back yard. Nobody believed he could break that chain, though he had often tried. One day, Pup saw something he really wanted, and suddenly the motivation before him became greater than the chain that held him. In that moment, the chain snapped, and he was free. God can do that for you, too! The chain that’s held you back will snap, and you’ll move from defeat to victory. When you finally understand that you’re loose, you’ll start behaving like it. You’ll go wherever God takes you, and you’ll become all that He wants you to be. REJOICE, THAT PROMISE IS FOR YOU! Henry Blackaby - Free Indeed! (borrow The Experience: A Devotional and Journal: Day by Day with God) So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 From the outside looking in, living for Christ might seem restricting. Unbelievers often think of the Christian life as a set of rules—all the things we can’t do. This distorted perspective is nothing new. The rich young ruler concluded that following Jesus was not for him because it meant he couldn’t hold on to his wealth (Luke 18:22–23). He missed what Jesus had to offer him because he focused on what Jesus asked him to give up. The world still sees Christianity as a set of strict rules that keep people from having fun. Christians know nothing could be further from the truth! We know that Jesus came to set us free from bondage, not to trap us into it. We know from experience that sin is the real slavemaster, and we know that Christ paid the penalty to set us free from sin’s entrapment. We see all that Christ has given us. The only things he’s taken from us are things we’re glad to be rid of: despair, guilt, shame, and death. We’ve tasted the abundant life that Jesus offers, and we wouldn’t trade this joy for anything. Some of us were at the brink of suicide, with death looking better than life, but Jesus gave us hope. Some of us were fighting losing battles with addictions, but Christ gave us victory. Some of us were estranged from our own families. Jesus brought us together again. All of us were headed for eternity without God. Jesus turned us around, and now we look forward to joining him in heaven. Christianity is all about freedom, not bondage. If you’re still living in bondage, then there is a truth about Jesus you have not yet experienced. Remember, Christ came to set you free. No matter what it is that’s got a hold on you (drugs, anger, fear, guilt), Jesus has the power to release you so you’ll be free to enjoy life as God intends. Will you let him? C H