sleeplessinpool
May 24th 2003, 02:09 PM
Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." NRS John 8:31-32
My Third Post
Real Freedom
“FREEDOM” is a word that we seem to hear on the lips of millions of people all over the world today. We constantly hear its call echoing throughout the world, on the lips of singers, politicians and reporters etc. There seems to be a magnetic charm to the word that evokes a sense of power that connects right to the very heart of us. As a word or feeling deep within it seems to appeal to the sympathies that are both universal and profound.
Over the past 30 years we have over and over again seen the jubilant celebrations of many, many people enjoying one type of emancipation or another. In Africa no less that 26 countries alone have emerged following the break up of the British Empire. Yet, paradoxically, at a time when humanity is struggling to free himself never have so many human beings been under the grip of power that is beyond their control.
In the above passage we find a wonderful promise from Jesus, a promise of freedom! But it is vitally important that we pay the closest attentions to what he said in relation to this subject, especially id we wish to experience what he offers us.
We need to pay careful attention to the background of this specific promise from Jesus. The Jews claimed to have political freedom but the reality was that they were under Roman occupation. They claimed religious freedom but the reality was that they were under the bondage of “the letter rather than the spirit of the law” The thing that Jesus saw was that men would never be able to enjoy a perfect freedom whilst the were still subject to their own inordinate desires, these all result in moral, mental and spiritual darkness. In short all need to be delivered from the slavery of sin.
Jesus once said, “Whosover committeth sin is the servant of sin” The reference here is of a person who is living a life of sin, i.e. the make it their common practice to the extent that they no longer have control over their desires. They are a prisoner in the thralldom of sin and in terrible bondage.
But what power or force is able to release a person from the chains of vice? Political and intellectual freedom do not give one hundred percent satisfaction. The are totally incapable of liberating the whole man. Someone one said that political freedom if the bark, intellectual freedom the sap but spiritual freedom is the life giving sap of the tree. Man contends for the bark and fiber Christ alone gives the sap.
In the John we are told, “if the son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed”. The word “indeed” occurs only here in the gospel of John and the translator “Westcott” once said, “it appears to express reality in essence from within”. It here we are finally coming to the root of the matter. Real freedom is like the Kingdom of God, it is something found within the hearts of humanity. This occurs only when the citadel of the soul is controlled by the Prince of Peace. Because of this nothing is able to affect it. Joseph was just as free in the prison as he was on the throne of Egypt.
Paul even though he was bound by chains was free when he appeared before Agrippa, yet Herod on his thrown was a slave! Paul’s defense statement was a classic example of those who know the true liberty that only being a son of God is able to bring. Note he does not say, “I wish I could be like you” but rather he says “I wish you could be like me” (See Acts 26:29) Paul is truly the liberated prisoner and is unwilling to exchange places with the enslaved King!
Back to our original passage and we notice the order of it,
1. Continue,
2. Knowledge, and then,
3. FREEDOM!
Here are the steps to our liberation. We must sit at our master’s feet every day, learning and living with the aim to grasp and hold the truth. It us as we do this and only as we do this that we discover that truth is not only a system but also a power. Truth is not just something that I or you speak and write, it is much much more; it is to be lived it is to be experienced and felt! Jesus is saying here that truth and holiness are co-relative. To know truth is to know Jesus in intimate fellowship and when we know Jesus we will understand fully those words of Paul to the Galatians, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ have made us free” (Galatians 5:1)
Blessings and peace to all of you……..see you next week in the mean time feel free to pop by www.biblicalthoughts.org.uk
Your servant in Christ
Stephen M Hole
My Third Post
Real Freedom
“FREEDOM” is a word that we seem to hear on the lips of millions of people all over the world today. We constantly hear its call echoing throughout the world, on the lips of singers, politicians and reporters etc. There seems to be a magnetic charm to the word that evokes a sense of power that connects right to the very heart of us. As a word or feeling deep within it seems to appeal to the sympathies that are both universal and profound.
Over the past 30 years we have over and over again seen the jubilant celebrations of many, many people enjoying one type of emancipation or another. In Africa no less that 26 countries alone have emerged following the break up of the British Empire. Yet, paradoxically, at a time when humanity is struggling to free himself never have so many human beings been under the grip of power that is beyond their control.
In the above passage we find a wonderful promise from Jesus, a promise of freedom! But it is vitally important that we pay the closest attentions to what he said in relation to this subject, especially id we wish to experience what he offers us.
We need to pay careful attention to the background of this specific promise from Jesus. The Jews claimed to have political freedom but the reality was that they were under Roman occupation. They claimed religious freedom but the reality was that they were under the bondage of “the letter rather than the spirit of the law” The thing that Jesus saw was that men would never be able to enjoy a perfect freedom whilst the were still subject to their own inordinate desires, these all result in moral, mental and spiritual darkness. In short all need to be delivered from the slavery of sin.
Jesus once said, “Whosover committeth sin is the servant of sin” The reference here is of a person who is living a life of sin, i.e. the make it their common practice to the extent that they no longer have control over their desires. They are a prisoner in the thralldom of sin and in terrible bondage.
But what power or force is able to release a person from the chains of vice? Political and intellectual freedom do not give one hundred percent satisfaction. The are totally incapable of liberating the whole man. Someone one said that political freedom if the bark, intellectual freedom the sap but spiritual freedom is the life giving sap of the tree. Man contends for the bark and fiber Christ alone gives the sap.
In the John we are told, “if the son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed”. The word “indeed” occurs only here in the gospel of John and the translator “Westcott” once said, “it appears to express reality in essence from within”. It here we are finally coming to the root of the matter. Real freedom is like the Kingdom of God, it is something found within the hearts of humanity. This occurs only when the citadel of the soul is controlled by the Prince of Peace. Because of this nothing is able to affect it. Joseph was just as free in the prison as he was on the throne of Egypt.
Paul even though he was bound by chains was free when he appeared before Agrippa, yet Herod on his thrown was a slave! Paul’s defense statement was a classic example of those who know the true liberty that only being a son of God is able to bring. Note he does not say, “I wish I could be like you” but rather he says “I wish you could be like me” (See Acts 26:29) Paul is truly the liberated prisoner and is unwilling to exchange places with the enslaved King!
Back to our original passage and we notice the order of it,
1. Continue,
2. Knowledge, and then,
3. FREEDOM!
Here are the steps to our liberation. We must sit at our master’s feet every day, learning and living with the aim to grasp and hold the truth. It us as we do this and only as we do this that we discover that truth is not only a system but also a power. Truth is not just something that I or you speak and write, it is much much more; it is to be lived it is to be experienced and felt! Jesus is saying here that truth and holiness are co-relative. To know truth is to know Jesus in intimate fellowship and when we know Jesus we will understand fully those words of Paul to the Galatians, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ have made us free” (Galatians 5:1)
Blessings and peace to all of you……..see you next week in the mean time feel free to pop by www.biblicalthoughts.org.uk
Your servant in Christ
Stephen M Hole