John 8:36 (NKJV)
“Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” – John. 8:36 (NKJV)
Back in the late 1960s and early 70s, the Black Power movement in Guyana was popular among young people. It was the accepted thing to lift a cuffed fist in salute to others when you see each other on the street or when beginning a meeting. During that period, I would join the young people and we marched around our village shouting slogans and quoting parts of speeches made by men who were freedom fighters like Nelson Mandela and Steve Biko. We understood freedom then to mean throwing off the yoke of the former colonial masters and being able to chart our own destiny as a people.
Not very long after this time I gave my heart to the Lord in a crusade held in the village. For some time I maintained my contact with the group of young “freedom fighters” but I was uncomfortable. The relationship I had with them could not be sustained because of the knowledge I acquired. I began to see freedom in a different light. Indeed, whom the Son set free is free. God’s word says Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). When I received Jesus into my life, He became my Life and I began to understand the truth because He showed me the way. I realised it was sin that kept one in bondage. I could choose to be free. My relationship with Christ was what mattered.
I eventually ended my relationship with that group, but I continued to speak with various ones. I now had a message for them – I wanted them to be truly set free. I thank God that today we are much older and I have seen God do marvelous things, saving many of those “freedom fighters” who are now living for Him. We were delivered from bondage – the bondage of sin. Let us choose to be free. Let us walk in the freedom “by which Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1 – NKJV).
Pray
Thank You Jesus, for true freedom, the freedom that can come only from a relationship with You. I pray for all those who are still in darkness, like me, they will come to the knowledge of the truth and embrace true freedom. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Read: John 8:32; Galatians 5:1-6
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 20:25-30; Proverbs 21:1-4; I Corinthians 15:50-58; I Corinthians 16:1-4; 2 Chronicles 21:4-20; 2 Chronicles 22; 2 Chronicles 23
