Daily Devotions – Free indeed

Daily Devotions – Free indeed

 

 

Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:

John 8:31-39 (NIV)

Dispute Over Whose Children Jesus’ Opponents Are

31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” 34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. 38 I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.” 39 “Abraham is our father,” they answered.“If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did.

The Jews living in Jesus’ day believed that they were special because they were biological descendants of Abraham. They were special, but not by their blood. What they had going for them was the promises of God and a relationship with God that no one else in the world had! But when Jesus showed up they completely missed Him, the one sent by God, and cared more about keeping the rules they had created. They had become slaves to the sin of not believing in God grace, but trusting in their own goodness and righteousness that they could measure by keeping the rules. But Abraham’s true children, living by faith, have been set free by the Son of God to have a full and thriving relationship with God the Father! This is why we cling to Jesus and His righteousness alone. Give thanks to God for setting us free from our sins and ask him to focus our eyes more closely on the Son who sets us free.