FREEDOM!

Most of us have seen portrayals and read accounts of what people have sacrificed for freedom.  Some of us have experienced some tiny consequences in our search for freedom, but I am fairly sure that most of us have a minuscule understanding of this.

I've read many accounts of this in history.  If you're looking for examples, read 'Safely Home' by Randy Alcorn or 'Rory' can't remember the author, but so worth the read.  These two are simply the first ones that come to mind - there are MANY others.  Watch Braveheart or other such movies. 

It seems to me that I, living the life that I've lived, have a very difficult time relating to the value of freedom and the fight for it.  I'm thinking about this because I've been considering the meaning of John 8:36 where Jesus says,  "So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

Because I'm a 'list' kind of person, I started making a list of things that perhaps Jesus was referring to here.

As I read through John 8, I found the following.

Things that I think Jesus has set me free from:

DARKNESS (verse12)


JUDGEMENT ACCORDING TO THE FLESH, CONDEMNATION (verse 15)


BONDAGE TO THIS WORLD (verse 23)


FALSEHOOD, DECEPTIONS, LIES (verse 32)


SIN (verse34)


THE DEVIL (verse 44)


DEAFNESS/BLINDNESS (verse 47)


SELF (verse 50)


DEATH (verse 51)



Things that I think Jesus freed me to:


LIGHT OF LIFE (verse 12)




DWELLING WITHOUT FEAR IN HIS PRESENCE (verse 15)




TRUTH (verse 32)




TRANSFORMATION BY SONSHIP AND THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT (verse 34)




GOD'S LOVE (verse 44)




REVELATION (verse 47)




HIS GLORY (verse 50)




LIFE (verse 51)

Now, I'm just trying to wrap my puny brain around this idea of freedom.  Bear with me cause sometimes it takes me on an extended 'journey' to get anywhere.  This idea of freedom has grabbed hold of me and I need to work it out (at least to the best of my current ability).  Are you up for the ride?

Feel free to interject ideas and thoughts, it would be helpful to me.