There are two kinds of freedom - one’s helpful; the other is absolutely necessary!

Welcome to “Word from The Center” MONDAY, a devotional word from the Center of our faith, Jesus Christ, with reflections on His Word. I’m Gregory Seltz. Today’s Bible passage is John 8:31-36 which tells us of this remarkable conversation:    

[31] So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; [32] and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” [33] They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet 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 commits sin is the slave of sin. [35] The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. [36] So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

There are two kinds of freedom in the world. One is the freedom that humans can achieve on our own. There are times when it seems like that freedom is secure in our hands. There are other times when it seems like it is always slipping through our fingers or beyond our reach. The other freedom is the kind of freedom that God has to make happen by His work on your behalf. Can you guess which one lasts? Can you guess which one is absolutely indispensable? Right, it’s the one where the “Son makes you free” by His life, death, and resurrection for you.

This was Reformation weekend for many in the Christian Church. It’s a time when we celebrate the clear teaching of the Gospel that Jesus Christ came into this world to save us all, to forgive our sins, and to offer us new life in Him by grace, through faith alone. But it’s also a time to remember that the freedom received through faith undergirds other freedoms as well. People today don’t realize that many of the teachings that go along with such a freeing Gospel message often helped to bring more temporal freedom and liberty into this sinful world as well.

Consider just a few things. The view that your life is precious to God because He created and redeemed you and, therefore, ought to be regarded as precious by others undergirds what we in America call “The Bill of Rights.” Also, the idea of a right for all to be educated is an impulse that grew out of the Reformation. When Martin Luther rediscovered the unique biblical teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he wanted to make sure that everybody could read it for themselves. Such a thing was unheard of in many parts of the world then, as it still is now. And, finally, the message that God sent His Son into the world to save us who were rebels, sinners, and unworthy of His grace undergirds the ideas of the dignity of all human beings, even in their brokenness; it also underscores the mercy and compassion that we all need in this life and for eternity.

So, this week take a moment to thank God for the earthly liberties that you have. But never forget THE liberty that is the foundation of them all, the one that comes from Jesus, His Son. One’s helpful and worth defending; the other one is absolutely necessary, worth believing.

PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for the eternal liberties of Your grace, and the temporal liberties we enjoy in this country. Help us to receive them and use them to Your glory and to our neighbors good. AMEN.

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Reformation foundations for all liberty and freedom