Word For The Day: When The Son Sets You Free
đź“–WORD FOR THE DAY: When the Son Sets You Free
Happy Africa Freedom Day! On 25th May 1963, leaders in Africa proclaimed Africa Freedom Day in remembrance of the liberation struggle of seventeen nations that gained independence from colonial powers.
Jesus came from heaven and shortly after beginning his earthly ministry at 30yrs of age, declared the purpose of His coming: Luke records that one day in the Synagogue in Nazareth,
17 “He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Lk 4:17–19)
Deep within each of us is a longing for freedom. In Jesus’ day, the Jews were longing for political independence from Roman occupation. When Jesus came, He made it clear that another freedom is far more important! This freedom is from sin’s dominion (Ro. 6:18-23), Satan’s kingdom (Col. 1:13), the law’s condemnation (Ro. 6:14), and death’s dominance (Ro. 8:2).
Scripture speaks of freedom as the liberty to enjoy and serve the Creator—freedom from slavery to powers that oppose God’s fulfillment of His claims upon your life.
As Christians, we should rejoice and celebrate the freedom we have in our country of Zambia. Freedom to worship according to conscience, freedom to assemble, and freedom to associate with whomever we choose. These civil freedoms allow us to serve God and obey the Scriptures. May we never take these freedoms lightly. But true freedom is spiritual, not physical.
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”
34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (Jn 8:31–36).
Rejoice today that you have freedom through Christ, Jesus! He has set us free from sin through the truth of the gospel. As you celebrate freedom today, pray for the millions across Africa who are not free! People remain slaves to sin and servants of Satan. Pray that they will hear and know the truth so that they, too, can be free! Go, tell captives of sin the good news that freedom and forgiveness are theirs in Jesus.
Pastor Phil