Freed by the Son

Rev. 14:6-7

(The Judgment is coming. Fear and worship God. Heed the saving Gospel.)

Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. [7] And he said with a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water."

Romans 3:19-28

(The Law condemns sinners, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ justifies and saves those who live by the gracious gift of faith.)

Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. [20] For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. [21] But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— [22] the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, [25] whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. [26] It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. [27] Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. [28] For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

John 8:31-36

(Abide in the Word of God. The Son sets you free from slavery to sin.)

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, [32] and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." [33] They answered him, "We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, 'You will become free'?" [34] Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. [35] The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. [36] So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Freed by the Son

There are many roads to eternal slavery: trusting in something or someone other than Jesus Christ for salvation, believing that everyone goes to heaven regardless of what they believe or do, and believing that people earn heaven by their good deeds.

Jesus Christ came to earth to free everyone who would believe on His name for eternal life. He called people to turn back from sinful lifestyles and to embrace the truth though faith.

Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (See John 8:31-37 ESV) The Jews pushed back, "We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, 'You will become free'?"

The Jews, like many of us, lived in fantasyland. They had been in physical slavery several times to other countries (Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, and at the time, Rome). And with that came sinful spiritual influences that made them slaves to sin. Moreover, the religious leaders of the day heaped up self-righteous rules and beliefs on the people.

Jesus told them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.” Everyone who is under the Law is a slave to sin. If we break one commandment, we are guilty of them all and deserve eternal condemnation.

But, Jesus Christ came to free us from the curse of sin and the condemnation of the Law. The very Word of God became flesh, fulfilled the Law perfectly for us, and died the death we deserved to die. By His death, He won freedom for us from sin. (Romans 3:19-28)

Jesus said, “The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Believe His Word. He sets you free. Amen.

Pastor Raymond Van Buskirk, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Baytown, TX

www.rlcbaytown.org