Read John 8:31b-36 NIV
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, “Very truly I tell you, 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.
What holds you back? Is it insecurity? Is it fear? Maybe it is past hurts… ugly things you had no control over that haunt your past and seem to color your future. Or maybe it is past sins. Whatever it is, it can often feel like heavy weights – chains that wrap so tightly around you so that you can barely move. It can be exhausting! Freedom from them sounds so good, doesn’t it?
That is what Jesus offers you. He sees all those things that hold you captive. He isn’t scared by them. He doesn’t shy away from them. He wants to take them from you. To change you and to give you freedom from them. Invite His truth into the hurting places of your heart and begin living in the freedom of His love. Let Him set you free today.
Pray
God, Your Word says that whomever You set free is free indeed. This week I choose to take You at Your word. No longer will I allow the things of my past, whether hurts or sins, to take up residence in my heart, in my mind and in my life. I choose to allow You to break the chains of those things that stop me in my tracks and keep me from being who You have created me to be. Help me to surrender them to You once and for all so that I can experience life to its fullest – rejoicing in the freedom You provide. Amen.
