Free to Obey

John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

When we receive Jesus Christ into our hearts and lives, we are set free from the grip of sin. We receive salvation and eternal life. The Holy Spirit even comes to live within us. However, when reading this verse, I am also reminded of the obedience that is necessary to walk in this freedom on a daily basis.

Obedience is not always going to be easy, it can be a challenge, especially when God requires us to change something we do not want to change. That could be a job, certain relationships, wrong mindsets, or bad habits. The reality is, that certain sins can be appealing to us, so we want to hold on to them. We may even make excuses for them. But God wants to set us free. He knows that once we are free, it draws us closer to Him. And who doesn’t want to draw closer to Jesus Christ?

Something I have noticed in my own walk with the Lord, is that when I obey Him, and do that simple thing or not so simple thing, He has been telling me to do, things change for the better.

I love Ephesians 3:20 that says, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

With God’s power working in us, we are set free to experience even more than we can ask or think. Some versions say, ask or imagine. God’s freedom is greater than anything we can ask for, think or imagine. But remember, this freedom comes only when we are willing to trust and obey Him.

Heavenly Father,

We are thankful for the freedom you give us. We want to trust and obey as you lead us through this life so that we can walk in the freedom you have promised. Help us not to be in bondage to certain sins or ignore the things you bring to our attention that need to be changed. Thank you for being a loving and compassionate God, who is patient and understands our struggles, but also wants to heal our hearts and set us free.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.