JOHN 8:31-32 – “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”
THEME OF THE DAY: NOT JUST FOR UNBELIEVERS. In today’s scripture, Jesus proclaims the power of His Word. It is the power of deliverance, of freeing people from the shackles of Satan, sin, and self. And it is easy to keep this application only for conversion. Yes, being born again by the Word of God is the beginning of a life set free. The Apostle Peter reminds us of the role of God’s Word in salvation – “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;” (1 Peter 1:22-23). But that isn’t the end . . .
The Christian life is likened to a war, a race, a boxing match, and a dangerously narrow road to travel. Each one of these descriptions contains their own temptations seeking to bring us back into bondage, to lay aside our freedom in Christ. The landscape abounds with Christians downcast over certain sins keeping them in bondage and preventing them from enjoying the freedom Christ bought for them by His life, death, and resurrection. What do these struggling believers need? Today’s scripture – the liberating power of God’s Word and it is found exemplified in the armor of God detailed for us in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.
Here is the armor passage – “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:10-18).
As we go through each piece of the Christian’s armor, imagine dressing a Roman soldier for battle. As we do, identify the only offensive piece; the one used to attack the enemy. It is the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Now apply that to the Christian who is losing daily battles to Satan, sin, and self, who is enslaved to his or her failures. Every spiritual foe is defeated by applying the Sword of the Spirit – the Word of God. Read Jesus modeling the use of the Sword of Spirit in His battles against Satan in Matthew 4:1-11. It applies to us.
Christian, the Word of God sets us free. Initially, at conversion but it continually does so as we apply it in the spiritual conflict God calls us to. The Word is not just to get unbelievers saved. It is also to keep Christians fighting the good fight and enjoying the freedom Christ gives us by His liberating Word!
PRAYER: Father, I praise You for the liberating power of Your Word in my life.
REFLECTION: True freedom and satisfaction in life comes from the will of God revealed in the Word of God.