Freedom

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36)

When I was 16 or 17, for one of my major English exams, I chose to write about the topic of ‘Freedom’. I hadn’t yet become a Christian, but I had my own well defined ideas of freedom. 

​I tried to prove that mankind could never be free. I argued that even if the only possession we had was a shoelace, we could not be free because we had a responsibility to that shoelace. (No, I have no idea why I chose a shoelace and please remember I was no older than 17!!!).

When I became a Christian, I discovered the adventure of true, inner freedom that only obedience to Jesus Christ can bring. I discovered the truth that the more of our lives, and areas of sin, that we hand over to God, the more invisible chains are broken and we begin to ‘soar on wings like eagles’ (Isaiah 40:31). 

In John 8:32 we read, ‘And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free’. At Teen Challenge, there are times where we have to talk to one of the residents and reveal ‘truth’ to him about himself. This truth involves the uncovering of sin in one of its many facets. We are very careful about when and how this is done. However, one fact is the same; God always calls for action, for change on the behalf of the hearer. This often comes at a cost to the hearer, but it is always liberating if accepted and followed through.

In Revelation 3:8, God says, ‘I have set before you an open door that no man can shut’. God is offering a life of freedom from self-centredness, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, pornography, fear, anger, worry, bitterness, emotional pain, jealousy, unclean thoughts.....the list is endless!!! Come on, who wouldn’t want that kind of freedom? 

The wonderful thing though is that, for those who do walk through that open door, it’s not only the person himself, or herself, who benefits from being liberated. Often, those around that person also benefit; family members, friends, work colleagues. All reap the benefit from the freedom of one individual.

When Jesus walked the shores of earth, He set men and women free. From the bottom of my heart, I thank God for the countless ‘shoelaces’ He has removed from my life over the years; the shoelaces of sin that were holding me back from freedom. Friend, what’s holding you back from giving Him your ‘shoelaces’ today?

‘Freedom’s calling
Chains are falling 
Hope is dawning
Bright and true’

Pauline Anderson