ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (NOVEMBER 26, 2012)

True Freedom

John 8: 31-36

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

While in prison, I thought about freedom in terms of which side of the fence I was on. All of us knew that those on the outside were free and those on the inside were not. This isn't completely accurate, however.

Actually, freedom in Christ shows us there is more to it than just what walls you in. A believer in Jesus has been freed from all sorts of bondage. As a young Christian, I was bound by what other prisoners thought of me. I wanted to be a Christian but also be in with the other groups. This burden kept me from raising my hands in worship or clapping when singing because I didn't want people to think I was some sort of "Jesus Freak."

One night, when a man was teaching on John 8, the Holy Spirit opened my eyes. At that moment, I realized that I was freer than I had ever been in my life, yet I was standing in the middle of Corcoran Prison! Serving Jesus is true freedom regardless of where you are. Only through Him will you find the freedom that gives life to the full even in the midst of despair.

INSIGHT
TRUE FREEDOM INVOLVES OUR POSITION IN CHRIST, NOT WHERE OUR PHYSICAL BODIES ARE. GIVE UP BONDAGE, KNOW CHRIST, AND SEE HOW FREE YOU CAN BE.

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Exodus 17-18
Psalm 34
Mark 14

hn 8:31-36
New International Version (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.


"CHRISTIAN" MYTHS ABOUT MONEY
with Dr. Ben Witherington

How are your finances? Does your heart swell with pride or sink with fear at the topic? No matter who you are, Jesus has something vitally important to say to you about money.