Only Jesus can make us truly free

“Free at last, free at last! Thank God Almighty, we’re free at last!” Don’t we wish we would be “free at last?” Free from all the things going on around us today: storms, fires, pandemics, wars, pestilence, and on and on the list seems to go; a phrase comes to mind taken from Holy Scripture; “Take these things hence;…” Don’t know about you, but many in my circle have the same heart. We’re tiring so quickly of the never-ending tragedies and reports of the same, and we wonder if there is any respite or “balm in Gilead.”
For more about the phrase mentioned, the Word of God says; “Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise” (John 2:16 KJV).
When Jesus came to the temple, He found corruption. In the temple courts, animals were bought and sold and ordinary money exchanged for temple currency - - at extortion rates. It seemed the purpose of the temple leadership (much as some leadership today) was to take and receive, take and receive. Profit was their motive, blessing the people was not (much as some leadership now). The money-changers who may have begun the service as a convenience to pilgrims attending the Passover (we call it Easter services), now abused the system (much as…?).
God’s house, the temple, was a holy place of worship. Jesus was angered by the evil practices He found there. Angrily, He threw them out. He cleansed the temple just as Scripture prophesied. “The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up” (John 2:17 KJV).
According to 1 Corinthians 3:16,17, we are the temple of God. He has expressed the same passionate desire for holiness within us. Jesus loved us enough to die for us and He wants us to belong to Him. Since Jesus cleansed the temple made with men’s hands, think how much more we should expect Him to cleanse us whom He created. God hates the evil that can come into our lives (whether we are leaders or not); even more than the hate we have for the pandemics, pestilences, storms, fears, and problems of life that surround us today.
Sometimes, we have to experience God’s discipline in order to drive out the things that can defile us or cause us harm. Things that may not seem wrong at first can take the place of fellowship with God. He wants our lives to be free from anything that can keep us from having the fullness of the Spirit dwelling in us.
Jesus says; “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:32 KJV).

Tragically, some people bound by bad habits and wicked ways are burdened by the cares of this life and bothered by impure or negative thoughts. Sin is a vice that grips us, from which we need help to get free.
Jesus IS the good news – through Him we can be set free from ANY sin.
Notice the progression through which His freedom comes. 1. We must continue in His Word (John 8:31 KJV); 2. Through continuing in His word, we become His disciples (John 8:31 KJV); and 3. We will then know the Truth, and the Truth will set us free from the bondage of sin (John 8:32 KJV).
If you struggle with life controlling issues or what some may call sin, you are a servant to sin: “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin” (John 8:34 KJV). Be aware that Satan is even willing for a person to profess to be a Christian as long as he doesn’t practice Christianity.
Are you struggling today with fears and concerns of all that surround us, and/or weights and habits that you know are wrong? Are you caught in their grip and can’t get free? Then look to Jesus. Obey Him. Read His Word. Confess your problems and sins to Him. Only as you obey Jesus, will He set you free. And He will give you the power to obey Him if you ask.
Remember to love one another. This, too, is Jesus’ commandment.
Rev. Dr. John I Chamness is pastor of the Family Worship Center A/G in Chester. He may be reached by phone at 573-547-7634 or by email at johnchamness@att.net.