To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 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?” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
“FREE” (Webster’s New World Dictionary) = not under the control or power of another; having liberty; independent.
1. If the Son sets you free
n The first word for “free” that Jesus uses here is in the verb form which speaks of the act of setting free.
n The translation is to make free from the dominion of sin; to set at liberty.
n Salvation is the greatest act of freedom we can ever experience.
n Freedom is more than a one time act!
2. You will be free indeed
n The second word for “free” that Jesus uses here is in the adjective form which describes the life of the person who has been set free.
n The translation is free, exempt, unrestrained.
n This describes the ongoing lifestyle of freedom.
n This tells us that freedom is REAL TIME
n It takes as much of the power of God to keep you free as it does to set you free.
n We cannot see freedom as a one time action (verb); it is an ongoing description of the life of the believer.
n A person who is living in bondage has never progressed beyond the act of being set free.
3. It is for freedom we are free
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1
n This term “freedom” speaks of the freedom we have in Christ to choose and do as we want.
n True freedom is living as we should and not as we please.
n People constantly return themselves to a place of bondage by taking their freedom for granted and living as they please with no thought of consequences.
