Friday, October 13, 2017
John 8:31-36 Then said Jesus to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered Him, "We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, 'You will be made free'?" Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed...."
IN JESUS WE HAVE BEEN SET FREE (4)
In the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus teaches one of the wrong ideas of freedom. Living at home the son felt his liberty was being restrained, so he decided to escape to a far country. How did that go? He only became enslaved, going farther and farther down the road of bondage to sin--until finally he had to acknowledge he was a broken man. By the grace of God, returning home with a penitent heart he found renewed freedom in a forgiving father.
Beware, dear Christians. Sin with its luring vices can so easily take one captive. Instead, by the grace of God and that alone, countless poor sinners, before Luther and after Luther, have discovered that real and true freedom comes from knowing the truth that sets one truly free-- free to live a life of service for the Savior.
As the Reformer put it in that paradoxical statement from his treatise on Christian liberty (1520): "A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none; a Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all." Let us give thanks that God helped Luther stand fast and firm in the truth.
Lord Jesus, our Great Liberator, help us stand fast in the precious truth that "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free"-- free to serve God now by faith, and then by His mercy and grace alone to live with You forever in heaven. Amen.
Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word; Curb those who by deceit or sword
Would wrest the kingdom from Your Son And bring to naught all He has done.
Lord Jesus Christ, Your pow'r make known, For You are Lord of lords alone;
Defend Your holy Church that we May sing Your praise eternally.
O Comforter of priceless worth. Send peace and unity on earth;
Support us in our final strife And lead us out of death to life.
(Lutheran Service Book, 655)
