FREEDOM IN CHRIST

John 8:36

Morning Meditation 4/1/15

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."

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 Rome.

2. In bondage to the letter of the law.

3. In bondage to pride and unbelief.

Christ has made 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--

WHAT IT IS NOT

1. It is not freedom from bodily suffering. The eleventh chapter of the Hebrews is abundant evidence to this. There are no doubt genuine cases of divine healing. Most of what is called divine healing is nothing but a lie pawned off on those ignorant of the Scriptures.

2. It is not freedom from Divine chastisements. To be without these is to be without a very impressive evidence of sonship. Hebrews 12:8, "But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons." Divine Chastising is a definite proof of one's salvation.

3. It is not freedom from the temptation of Satan. Jesus was tempted by Satan in the beginning of His public ministry. (Matt. 4:1-11). The disciples are not exempt from temptation because our Lord was not. James 1:2, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;"

4. It is not freedom from the presence of sin. This is the freedom that we will have when we are changed from this vile body into our glorified bodies.

WHAT THIS FREEDOM IS

It is to be made free from the--

1. It is to be free from the curse of the law. Galatians 3:10, "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them."

2. It is to be free from the guilt of sin. Romans 8:33, "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth." David wrote on this in Romans 4:8, "Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin."

3. It is to be free from the dominion of sin. Romans 6:14, "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."

4. It is to be free from the power of darkness. Colossians 1:13, "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:" 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. It is to be free from the fear of man. Acts 4:18-19, "And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye."

6. It is to be free from the sting of death. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FREED

1. It is the responsibility of Sons. A son has the responsibility of keeping his fathers good reputation. When the son goes wrong, it always casts reflection on mom and dad.

2. It is a responsibility to use freedom to glorify God. It is no longer "I have to do this," but, I can do this but I won't because of the bad effects it will have on my family, Church, and my own personal testimony.

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White