Freedom: i.e. "the power to determine action without
restraint." Even in a nation founded on the principle of freedom we are constrained
by laws that limit our power to determine action. But then personal freedom, to do and say and
act as I desire, is ultimately a selfish ambition that in some ways denies others
their freedom to do say and act as they like. So Jesus is not speaking about personal
freedom to do and say and act as we desire. He is speaking of a freedom that
changes the way we understand our relationship with God. The Jews “who had
believed in him” were still depending on their connection with Abraham to claim
their non-slave status as God’s own people even while their land was occupied
by the Roman Empire. The freedom Jesus offers is summed up in the idea that
those who believe have passed from death to life. (John 5:24) No one is more
free than the one who by believing can confess “whether we live or whether we
die we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:8) trusting that “nothing can separate us
from the love of God”. (Romans 8:38-39) Here’s the twist. Being made free by
the Son makes you the slave of all. (John 13:12-17) Go figure.
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