PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: John 8:31-41
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.” (John 8:31)
I want to be a disciple (student) of Jesus, learning to live like Jesus did.
This involves admitting that my current way of living is not working.
It involves trusting Jesus and his way, that his is the way of freedom.
It involves holding on to Jesus as my hope, and holding on to what he says.
I still struggle with sin and selfishness, and want to be free from this.
My confidence is not in my hold on Jesus, but his hold on me.
Nevertheless, I keep holding on, knowing that he is holding on to me.
“I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (Philippians 3:12)
A Jesus follower is constantly reminding themselves of Jesus’s teaching.
Despite my lingering sin, I want to be like Jesus, and like God my Father.
I don’t want to hands to hurt or hinder others from experiencing God’s freedom.
I want my hands to hold out patience, kindness and goodness, so others can take hold.
I long to hear Jesus say to me, “you are doing the works of your own father.” (8:41)
May the truth of Jesus’s words and ways set me free, and set others free too!
PRAYER
Lord, my grip is weak but I am still holding on. Strengthen your grip around my feeble hands, that I may hold on to your teaching until the end!
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.
Israel was freed from slavery by God himself – through Moses – a type of Saviour. They made an exodus from the grips of Phaoroah. Now Jesus is referring to a vital exodus – an exodus from the condemnation of sin – Jesus, the son, sets us free. When he does we become the rights of children of God – that is through Jesus – not through Abraham. Because I am not a Jew – Abraham is not my Father – but God is my Father through Jesus. Thanks be to God for his mercy – for Jesus the son who sets me free!
A bird is free in the air.
A fish is free in the water.
A man is free in Christ Jesus – free to serve..
The Spirit leads and guides me to walk in His way – walking in the Light – listening to His voice. Being a follower listening to His voice doing His will.
When we walk with the Lord in the light of his Word
What a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will, he abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.