To the Jews who had believed him, 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 for ever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
John 8:31–35
“Freely you have received; freely give.”
Matthew 10:8
“He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free…”
Luke 4:18
On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.
Luke 13:10–13
“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
Matthew 6:12
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1–2
“I have the right to do anything,” you say – but not everything is beneficial.
“I have the right to do anything”– but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
1 Corinthians 10:23–24
While Jesus was still growing in her womb, his mother was singing about freedom: “He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has lifted up the humble” (Luke 1:52). You might say the whole of his ministry was about setting people free – from sickness, sin, and the grip of Mammon. Jesus has the power to set us free from crippling patterns of thought, from the chains of grudges and resentment, from the paralysis of shame.
The freedom of Jesus is exercised by particular disciplines in our lives (see our passages above). 1) Faith in Jesus sets us free from the grip of sin into the new creation of grace. 2) Truth sets us free – that means honesty, integrity, authenticity, and insight or discernment; and truth is also the childlike spirit, the way of simplicity. 3) Generosity sets us free – as we give freely, so we are released from fear, from the belief that there is not enough to go round. 4) Healing sets us free; in all kinds of ways we receive Christ’s healing, and taking the trouble to follow a healthy lifestyle is part of our discipleship. 5) Avoiding debt and releasing others from debt bring freedom, and this was an important practical New Testament principle. 6) Self-discipline and self-restraint bring freedom; the escape from addictions, compulsions, and impulsivity is part of our healing in Christ and brings great peace.
God of life, when we are set free by your truth, we are free indeed! We thank you for the freedom won for us by Jesus. We thank you for the spaciousness of his love, which lets us breathe again, which breaks the chain of hopelessness and sin. There is such joy in your freedom, dear Lord, and such peace. All our lives may we be led by your Spirit into the way of perfect freedom. Give us grace and wisdom to discern the way of life; help us to be self-controlled and prudent in our choices. Give us the insight, sensitivity, and generosity to help others to step into freedom. We ask these things in Jesus’ holy name; Amen.
