Freedom That Makes You Free

John 8:36 (KJV)

36 If the Son therefore shall make you free (1), ye shall be free (2) indeed.

Freedom That Makes You Free

In John 8:36, the word “free” is used twice. The Greek words that were interpreted as “free” in this verse are different but complementary. Their meanings complete one another. According to Strong’s Talking Greek and Hebrew Dictionary (Strong’s), the first “free” means:

“to liberate, i.e. (figurative) to exempt (from moral, ceremonial or mortal liability) :- deliver, make free.”

The second “free” means:

“unrestrained (to go at pleasure), i.e. (as a citizen) not a slave (whether freeborn or manumitted), or (genitive) exempt (from obligation or liability) :- free (man, woman), at liberty.”

English: Black man reading newspaper by candlelight Man reading a newspaper with headline, “Presidential Proclamation, Slavery,” which refers to the Jan. 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. drawing : watercolor. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So, the first “free” is the act of being made free by faith in Jesus, and the second “free” is the state of freedom that the person has been delivered into; whereby they live as citizen’s of the Kingdom of God, as free men and women.

For example, The Emancipation Proclamation granted freedom to African slaves in America. The slaves had been freed, but they were not yet free, because freedom is more than a deed. It is a lifestyle of freedoms freely exercised over the lifetime of the freed person and their descendants.

After being freed, former slaves and their descendants were then theoretically free to work and live as American citizens; although we know that the actualization of those freedoms required centuries of fighting for civil rights. Even now, the civil rights of African Americans are threatened on a daily basis and the fight for freedom is on-going.

Praise God that “the increase of His government and peace” has no end! God doesn’t have to starve anybody in order to feed any one. He doesn’t need to build His government and Kingdom on the backs of any people, because all resources belong to Him. Isaiah 9:7 King James Version (KJV) says:

7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Praise God, that His thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9). Therefore, everyone who is made free by faith in Christ Jesus is free to live as citizens of His Kingdom, with all the rights and responsibilities of Christians.

But what is the freedom that is given by Christ? Jesus gives us freedom from bondage to sin, freedom to know Him, freedom to come to the Father and ask forgiveness of sins, freedom to learn of Him, a desire to be like Him, who is “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners and made higher than the heavens” (Hebrews 7:26).

When we are made free from the bondage and compulsion of sin, then we are “free indeed” and we become, free men and women, who are “unrestrained, free to go at pleasure.” The pleasure in which we are free to go is not the wanton, selfish and destructive pleasures of the world. No, our pleasure is to do the will of God and develop the fruits of the spirit, which are: “love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness faith, meekness and temperance. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22)

Given this insight into God’s word, what then is our prayer? Our prayer is: Heavenly Father, Help us to accept your deliverance, and to tell others of the freedom that is in Christ Jesus. May all Your children hunger to be like Jesus. May the fruit of the Spirit be evident in our lives, as we live to bring glory to Your holy name. In Jesus’ name we pray and say: Amen, and amen.

May these words educate and comfort you today. Until we meet again: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10).

– Verneda