Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95
Psalm: Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56
Jn 8:31-42 Full Readings
Sinning is Slavery
When we think of freedom as a mere physical freedom forgetting of the spiritual and psychological freedom, then we are not free but in slavery. The Jews who criticized Jesus after telling them that the truth will save them free claiming that they are free forgot that they were spiritually enslaved because of their sins and not believing in Jesus, the awaited Messiah and in his teachings. Whoever sins is a slave of sin. If we are stuck in our sins, we are not free but slaves of sin and the only way to be free is to accept the truth for the truth will set us free. What is this truth? It is Jesus Christ who alone gives freedom of body, mind and soul. As Bishop Robert Barron says, freedom is “not so much liberty of choice, but rather the disciplining of desire so as to make the achievement of the good first possible and then effortless.”
Knowing the truth will set us free on both psychological grounds (guilty conscience) and spiritual grounds (forgiveness, salvation and Heaven). This is the freedom that Jesus gives. The freedom which Jesus offers his followers is freedom from the power of sin, Satan, and the worldly influence of those who oppose God and his ways. We are powerless to set ourselves free from bondage to Satan, sin, and death (Romans 3:23; 5:6). That is why the Lord Jesus took our sins upon himself and nailed them to the cross (1 Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:5-6; Colossians 2:14). His death on the cross has won victory and pardon for us, and peace with God. Through Jesus' sacrifice we are not only forgiven and reconciled with God, but we also become the adopted sons and daughters of God (Romans 8:14-16). We can call God our Father because the Lord Jesus has reconciled us and redeemed us from slavery to sin and Satan.
A redeemed slave is not entirely free until all of his chains and weights have been broken and destroyed. The Lord Jesus alone has the power to release us from every chain and burden that would keep us in bondage to sinful habits and hurtful desires. Are there any chains - any sinful patterns, harmful attitudes, and addictive behavior - that you need to be released from? Allow the Lord Jesus to unbind you and bring you healing, pardon, and freedom to walk in his way of love and truth. The Lord Jesus sets us free from slavery to our own selfishness and sinful desires in order to set us free for a joy-filled life of love and service for his kingdom. Paul the Apostle reminds us that Christ has won freedom for each one of us - not to serve ourselves or do as we please - but rather to please the Lord and to serve our neighbors in love for their sake (Galatians 5:1,13). Do you accept and believe Christ's word of truth, love, and freedom for your life?
Let us Pray.
God of all Truth, Your Word is liberating, transforming and fills us with hope. May I turn my mind to You and to Your holy Word so that I may know the Truth as You speak it and allow that transforming Truth to set me free. Amen
Be blessed.
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