November 26, 2022
“…if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:36
Simple and profound words of Jesus to ponder... If someone needs to be made free, then the implication is bondage of some sort, right? Indeed, yes. The Savior taught us to pray “deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13). Our prayer to be delivered from evil is very instructive: we are in need of deliverance from something, or several somethings, that if not clearly dealt with, will stand in the way of entry into God’s eternal kingdom. It is His desire to extricate us from the predicament of the bondage to sin, the bondage to pride, the bondage to evil.
We know that when Adam fell, he lost (gave away) his position as God’s appointed steward of the earth to Satan. Scripture refers to Satan as the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4). While we look forward to the coming kingship of Jesus, we agree that we are currently living in enemy-occupied territory. But what most of us may not grasp is that we are enemy-occupied territory! Every human heart is the place where the principles of sin (pride and selfishness) have come to reside. The problem is magnified as these principles take up such a comfortable residence in our hearts and minds that we desire to live by them instead of living according to God’s standard.
Because God loves us, our predicament becomes His predicament. He loves us. We love sin. God hates sin. The obvious problem is met with the good news that God wants you and me to go to heaven. Each of us must, in full cooperation with His plan, recognize the need of a new birth.
…having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever… 1 Peter 1:23
I need a new heart. He said:
“I will give you a new heart.” Ezekiel 36:26
I need a new mind, one that is free from the principles of sin and selfishness.
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Jesus Christ.” Philippians 2:5
I need a new Father.
“I will be to Him a Father.” Hebrews 1:5 (contrast with John 8:44)
I need a new home.
“In My Father’s house are many mansions … I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2
Beloved, our prayers for deliverance from evil must be understood and prayed with a desire for the real freedom of God’s truth. Praise Him today as you wholeheartedly cooperate with His plan for total transformation!
H A P P Y S A B B A T H !