John 8:36
“So, if the son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free.”
I’m going to use a note from John MacArthur’s study bible to begin this discussion:
“8:35, 36 The notion of slavery in v. 34 moves to the status of slaves. While the Jews thought of themselves only as free sons of Abraham, in reality, they were slaves of sin. The genuine son in the context is Christ Himself, who sets the slaves free from sin. Those whom Jesus Christ liberates from the tyranny of sin and the bondage of legalism are really free (Ro 8:2; Gal 5:1).”
Throughout Christianity today there are signs where the assembly of worshipers do not appear to be free, they seem to be locked in some sort of legalism or bondage of some sort. There seems to be some religious method that imposes requirements resulting from the sinful nature inherited from Adam and Eve. These requirements or legalistic practices destroys the very essence of what Jesus accomplished–setting us free from the bondage of that original sin, and of sin (separation from God) in general. We are no longer required to work off the things we do wrong by stepping aside from being obedient to God. When we sin, we repent (change direction) and pray to God through Jesus to forgive those mistakes.
Far too many want some form of religious experience. Doctrines and sacraments that are nothing, but the inventions of man and have no place in the person of a follower of Christ Jesus.
Does any of these mean humans are sinless or won’t sin? Heaven forbids! There is no way not to sin while human. However, we have an advocate in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin, and not some man who call himself “father” requiring confession, and penance to renounce any sin(s) committed. We have been freed from such religious practices by Jesus Christ himself. As it is states in 1 John 2:1-2 “My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world [creation].” (NLT)
We have been set free!
Mike Kovach
17 September 2021
The Christian Underground Journal
TheChristianUndergroundJournal@gmail.com
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