What Makes Us Free

"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."

(John 8:32, 36)

"Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."

(2 Corinthians 3:17)

Freedom is one of our Greatest Blessings.

Illustration: The Prison Warden sent a note around to inmates asking questions on the kind of party they recommend to celebrate its 25th anniversary. The prisoners all had the same idea -Open House!

What makes us free?

I- The Scripture Makes Us Free - "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32). God's Word is not just for our information, it is for our transformation. Transformation - The act of changing in form, shape or appearance. A complete change of nature or appearance. "For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Being then made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end is everlasting life." (Romans 6:14, 18, and 22).

Lesson: The believer is not free to do whatever he wants. He is free only to do that which is consistent with the Scripture. True freedom is freedom from sin. It is impossible to be neutral. Every person has a master either God or sin. A christian is not someone who cannot sin or who never sins, but someone who is no longer a slave to sin. He belongs to God not to sin. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul." (Psalms 19:7).

II - The Savior Makes Us Free - "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8:36). The Son shall make you free. Christ sets people free. Nicodemus was set free from religious bondage. (John 3:1-3). Sometimes, we pretend to be free already from sin yet we continue to do it. We sometimes act like Pharisees and Scribes who were called by Christ as "Hypocrites." Hypocrites indeed appear beautiful outward, but within full of dead men's bones, and full of uncleanness. (Matthew 23:27). "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. (II Timothy 3:5).

We sing: "Sweet hour of prayer" and are content with 5 minutes a week.
We sing: "Onward christian soldiers" and wait to be drafted into His service.
We sing: "O for thousand tongues to sing" and don't use the one we have.
We sing: "There shall be showers of blessings" but do not come when it rains.
We sing: "I love to tell the story" and never mention it all.
We sing: "Were marching to Zion" but fail to march to Church worship.
We sing: "Cast thy burdens on the Lord; for God will take care of you" and worry ourselves into nervous breakdown.
We sing: "Jesus saves" and never invite our love ones and friends.

The chief dangers which will confront the churches today will be: religion without the Holy Spirit, christianity without Christ, morality without God, and heaven without hell. Salvation is not religion but personal relationship with Christ.

III - The Holy Spirit Makes us Free - "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (2 Corinthians 3:17). Liberty is Freedom. The Holy Spirit works in creation, results in order, beauty, renewal and meaningful life.

The Holy Spirit gives Direction:

He Directs Our Thinking - The negative thoughts are replaced with the positive thoughts.
He Directs Our Seeing - "Looking unto Jesus the Author and the Finisher of our faith." (Hebrews 12:2).
He Directs Our Hearing - Foul language, lust dominate the airways of today's world. The Holy Spirit directs those who incline their ears to God's word, will and way.
He Directs Our Doing - Millions of people are busy with self-interests. We must give God first place.
He Directs Our Going - "As ye have therefore receive Christ Jesus the Lord, so we walk ye in Him." (Colossians 2:6). No more going to the wrong places in search for entertainment.

(Messages By: Rev. Teofilito A. Rufon).