Religion Can’t Satisfy Your Soul

“Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” ACTS 8:22-23

 

PONDER THIS

PRACTICE THIS

Do you know why so many churches have trouble? They are inhabited by bitter people who are in bondage. These people have met religion, but they’ve never met Jesus. They have never been broken at the foot of the cross. They’ve never laid their pride in the dust. They have come into a church, not for what they can give, but for what they can get. The Spirit of God is not in these people, and they are troublemakers everywhere they go because their religion has never satisfied them, and it never can. They are disillusioned, they have unfulfilled desires, they got into religion for the wrong reason, and they never find satisfaction. Everywhere they go, they’re like Simon, full of bitterness and full of bondage. As Jesus reminded, those who know Him are not characterized most by bondage but by freedom.

What are some wrong reasons people might seek God today?

How can you know you are seeking Jesus for the right reasons?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

The Power of a Superior Promise

I shall walk in freedom, for I have sought your precepts. (Psalm 119:45, my translation)

An essential element of joy is freedom. None of us would be happy if we were not free from what we hate and free for what we love.

And where do we find true freedom? Psalm 119:45 says, “I shall walk in freedom, for I have sought your precepts.”

The picture is one of open spaces. The word frees us from smallness of mind. “God gave Solomon . . . breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore” (1 Kings 4:29). The word frees us from threatening confinements. “He brought me out into a broad place” (Psalm 18:19).

Jesus says, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). The freedom he has in mind is freedom from the slavery of sin (John 8:34). Or, to put it positively, it is freedom for holiness.

The promises of God’s grace provide the power that makes the demands of God’s holiness an experience of freedom rather than fear and confinement. Peter described the freeing power of God’s promises like this: “Through [his precious and very great promises] you become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire” (2 Peter 1:4).

In other words, when we trust the promises of God, we sever the root of corruption and sinful desire by the power of a superior promise.

How crucial is the word that breaks the power of counterfeit pleasures! And how vigilant we should be to light our paths and load our hearts with the word of God!

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).

John Piper 

The Only True Freedom

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.” (John 8:31–32)

What is true freedom? Are you free?

Here are four things that need to be true if we are going to be fully free.

If you don’t have the desire to do a thing, you are not fully free to do it. Oh, you may muster the willpower to do what you don’t want to do, but nobody calls that full freedom. It’s not the way we want to live. There is a constraint and pressure on us that we don’t want.

And if you have the desire to do something, but no ability to do it, you are not free to do it.

And if you have the desire and the ability to do something, but no opportunity to do it, you are not free to do it.

And if you have the desire to do something, and the ability to do it, and the opportunity to do it, but it destroys you in the end, you are not fully free — not free indeed — when you do it.

To be fully free, we must have the desire, the ability, and the opportunity to do what will make us happy forever. No regrets. And only Jesus, the Son of God who died and rose for us, can make that possible.

If the Son shall set you free, you shall be free indeed (John 8:36).

John Piper 

Christmas Is for Freedom

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. (Hebrews 2:14–15)

Jesus became man because what was needed was the death of a man who was more than man. The incarnation was God’s locking himself into death row.

Christ did not risk death. He chose death. He embraced it. That is precisely why he came: “not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

No wonder Satan tried to turn Jesus from the cross — in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11) and in the mouth of Peter (Matthew 16:21–23)! The cross was Satan’s destruction. How did Jesus destroy him?

Hebrews 2:14 says that Satan has “the power of death.” That means Satan has the ability to make death fearful. “The power of death” is the power that holds men in bondage through fear of death. It is the power to keep men in sin so that death comes as a dreadful thing.

But Jesus stripped Satan of this power. He disarmed him. He molded a breastplate of righteousness for us that makes us immune to the devil’s condemnation. How did he do this?

By his death, Jesus wiped away all our sins. And a person without sin cannot be condemned by Satan. Forgiven, we are finally indestructible. Satan’s plan was to destroy God’s rule by condemning God’s followers in God’s own courtroom. But now, in Christ, there is no condemnation. Satan’s treason is aborted. His cosmic treachery is foiled. “His rage we can endure, for, lo, his doom is sure.” The cross has run him through. And he will gasp his last before long.

Christmas is for freedom. Freedom from the fear of death.

Jesus took our nature in Bethlehem, to die our death in Jerusalem — all that we might be fearless in our city today. Yes, fearless. Because if the biggest threat to my joy is gone, then why should I fret over the little ones? How can you say (really!), “Well, I’m not afraid to die but I’m afraid to lose my job”? No. No. Think!

If death (I said, death! — no pulse, cold, gone!) if death is no longer a fear, we’re free, really free. Free to take any risk under the sun for Christ and for love. No more enslavement to anxiety.

If the Son has set you free, you shall be free, indeed!

John Piper 

The Only True Freedom

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.” (John 8:31–32)

What is true freedom? Are you free?

Here are four things that need to be true if we are going to be fully free.

If you don’t have the desire to do a thing, you are not fully free to do it. Oh, you may muster the willpower to do what you don’t want to do, but nobody calls that full freedom. It’s not the way we want to live. There is a constraint and pressure on us that we don’t want.

And if you have the desire to do something, but no ability to do it, you are not free to do it.

And if you have the desire and the ability to do something, but no opportunity to do it, you are not free to do it.

And if you have the desire to do something, and the ability to do it, and the opportunity to do it, but it destroys you in the end, you are not fully free — not free indeed — when you do it.

To be fully free, we must have the desire, the ability, and the opportunity to do what will make us happy forever. No regrets. And only Jesus, the Son of God who died and rose for us, can make that possible.

If the Son shall set you free, you shall be free indeed (John 8:36).

John Piper 

Are You Growing in Freedom?

PRAY OVER THIS

“My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:1-6

 

PONDER THIS

Responsibility and liberty are inextricably connected. When a baby is born, that baby has no responsibilities. He doesn’t have to worry about paying the light bills. He doesn’t have to worry about going to the grocery store. The baby doesn’t even have to worry about changing his own clothes. The baby has no responsibilities, but the baby also has no liberties. He doesn’t decide where he’s going to sleep. He doesn’t decide what kind of diapers he is going to wear. He almost doesn’t decide anything for himself.

But as the child grows and can assume more responsibilities, he is given more liberties. After a while, when the child is responsible enough, maybe he’s allowed to walk home from school. Then comes the day when he or she is sixteen and he says, “Dad, can I borrow the car?” The dad considers, “Is my son a responsible individual? Has he shown by the way he lives that he can be trusted to take a car on the highway and drive it? Has he shown enough responsibility to be given this liberty?” In the same way, we experience more freedom as we further become people who love God and His commands.

How have you seen the link between responsibility and liberty in your life?

What does it look like to be responsible with the commands God has given you?

PRACTICE THIS

Reflect on any commands you have been ignoring and take immediate action.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Experience Freedom and Truth in the New Year!

PRAY OVER THIS

“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’” John 8:31-32 

 

PONDER THIS

When you believe in Jesus and you continue in the Word, you know the truth and you become liberated. Many today believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and are going to Heaven. But you are not a liberated person because you have never really absorbed the truth. You have never taken to the truth; you’ve never taken time to buy the truth. Do you know the word in that sentence that is key? Disciple. Do you know another word kin to disciple? Discipline. People don’t like discipline because they want to be free. They see truth and discipline as restrictive.

I read a quote somewhere. I don’t know who said it, but it stuck in my heart. “He who is a slave to the compass is the master of the oceans; the rest have to sail close to the shore.” The compass is what the ancient mariners used to guide their ships. That restriction gives them freedom and mastery of so much more than they could decipher on their own. Truth liberates you. Truth makes you free.

What are some guiding principles you want to take into this new year?

What is the difference between hearing the truth and absorbing the truth?

PRACTICE THIS

Spend time writing down some verses from God’s Word and consider how these truths apply to your life.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Christmas Is for Freedom

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. (Hebrews 2:14–15)

Jesus became man because what was needed was the death of a man who was more than man. The incarnation was God’s locking himself into death row.

Christ did not risk death. He chose death. He embraced it. That is precisely why he came: “not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

No wonder Satan tried to turn Jesus from the cross — in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11) and in the mouth of Peter (Matthew 16:21–23)! The cross was Satan’s destruction. How did Jesus destroy him?

Hebrews 2:14 says that Satan has “the power of death.” That means Satan has the ability to make death fearful. “The power of death” is the power that holds men in bondage through fear of death. It is the power to keep men in sin so that death comes as a dreadful thing.

But Jesus stripped Satan of this power. He disarmed him. He molded a breastplate of righteousness for us that makes us immune to the devil’s condemnation. How did he do this?

By his death, Jesus wiped away all our sins. And a person without sin cannot be condemned by Satan. Forgiven, we are finally indestructible. Satan’s plan was to destroy God’s rule by condemning God’s followers in God’s own courtroom. But now, in Christ, there is no condemnation. Satan’s treason is aborted. His cosmic treachery is foiled. “His rage we can endure, for, lo, his doom is sure.” The cross has run him through. And he will gasp his last before long.

Christmas is for freedom. Freedom from the fear of death.

Jesus took our nature in Bethlehem, to die our death in Jerusalem — all that we might be fearless in our city today. Yes, fearless. Because if the biggest threat to my joy is gone, then why should I fret over the little ones? How can you say (really!), “Well, I’m not afraid to die but I’m afraid to lose my job”? No. No. Think!

If death (I said, death! — no pulse, cold, gone!) if death is no longer a fear, we’re free, really free. Free to take any risk under the sun for Christ and for love. No more enslavement to anxiety.

If the Son has set you free, you shall be free, indeed!

John Piper 

The Power of a Superior Promise

I shall walk in freedom, for I have sought your precepts. (Psalm 119:45, my translation)

An essential element of joy is freedom. None of us would be happy if we were not free from what we hate and free for what we love.

And where do we find true freedom? Psalm 119:45 says, “I shall walk in freedom, for I have sought your precepts.”

The picture is one of open spaces. The word frees us from smallness of mind. “God gave Solomon . . . breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore” (1 Kings 4:29). The word frees us from threatening confinements. “He brought me out into a broad place” (Psalm 18:19).

Jesus says, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). The freedom he has in mind is freedom from the slavery of sin (John 8:34). Or, to put it positively, it is freedom for holiness.

The promises of God’s grace provide the power that makes the demands of God’s holiness an experience of freedom rather than fear and confinement. Peter described the freeing power of God’s promises like this: “Through [his precious and very great promises] you become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire” (2 Peter 1:4).

In other words, when we trust the promises of God, we sever the root of corruption and sinful desire by the power of a superior promise.

How crucial is the word that breaks the power of counterfeit pleasures! And how vigilant we should be to light our paths and load our hearts with the word of God!

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).

John Piper 

The Only True Freedom

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.” (John 8:31–32)

What is true freedom? Are you free?

Here are four things that need to be true if we are going to be fully free.

If you don’t have the desire to do a thing, you are not fully free to do it. Oh, you may muster the willpower to do what you don’t want to do, but nobody calls that full freedom. It’s not the way we want to live. There is a constraint and pressure on us that we don’t want.

And if you have the desire to do something, but no ability to do it, you are not free to do it.

And if you have the desire and the ability to do something, but no opportunity to do it, you are not free to do it.

And if you have the desire to do something, and the ability to do it, and the opportunity to do it, but it destroys you in the end, you are not fully free — not free indeed — when you do it.

To be fully free, we must have the desire, the ability, and the opportunity to do what will make us happy forever. No regrets. And only Jesus, the Son of God who died and rose for us, can make that possible.

If the Son shall set you free, you shall be free indeed (John 8:36).

John Piper 

Knowing Jesus is the Key to Freedom

PRAY OVER THIS

“As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” 2 Peter 1:3

 

PONDER THIS

Have you ever seen an elephant at the circus? That elephant will generally have an iron ring around one of his rear legs. That iron ring will have a chain that is fastened to a stake. That stake will be driven into the ground. That elephant will be there, rocking back and forth. Now here is the interesting thing. That stake is shallowly put in the ground. That elephant could pull it out at any time. But he never tries because he thinks he cannot. When he was a baby elephant, they trained him by putting a stake in the ground very deep and putting that chain around his leg, and he pulled and could not get free. And now as a grown elephant, he has been convinced that he cannot pull that stake from the ground, and he never tries.

There are some who have been trained by the devil in the same way. You don’t understand the power you have. And Satan’s got you chained by some little insignificant thing when God wants to set you free and make you what you ought to be. Freedom comes through the knowledge of Jesus. Jesus died for you, and grace comes through the knowledge of Jesus. The peace all of us need—the peace of God, peace with God, and peace with one another—and the power all of us need, come through the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

What does it look like to live in bondage to something?

What has Jesus set you free from? Where are you still living in bondage unnecessarily?

PRACTICE THIS

Share with another person what you have been set free from through Jesus.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

What is True Freedom?

PRAY OVER THIS

“While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.” 2 Peter 2:19-20

 

PONDER THIS

Sin always promises freedom, but it brings bondage. And the deceitfulness of sin is such that those who are in the deepest bondage think they are free. As a matter of fact, the Lord Jesus said in John 8:36, “…If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” Do you know the difference between the freedom Jesus gives and the freedom that liar the devil promises?

When the devil says he’s going to give you freedom, it’s freedom to do what you want. The freedom that Jesus gives is not freedom to do as you want, it is freedom to do as you ought. Those who do as they want are not free at all. They are actually servants of corruption. You may say, “I’m not going to be a Christian. I’m just going to be free to do my thing. I’m free to choose.” You are free to choose, but you are not free to choose the consequences of your choice. But Jesus said if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

Why does the freedom to do what we want sound so appealing?

How have you experienced true freedom in Jesus?

PRACTICE THIS

Pray for those you know who are living in bondage to sin but do not know it.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

God’s Truth Sets You Free

PRAY OVER THIS

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32

 

PONDER THIS

When you believe the Word, when you believe in Jesus, when you continue in the Word, and when you become a disciple, you know the truth, and you become liberated. There are a lot of people who claim belief in the Lord Jesus Christ but are not liberated people because they have never really absorbed truth. They’ve never aligned their lives with the truth. People don’t like discipline because we have a generation that wants to be free. Many see truth and discipline as restricting.

I read a quote somewhere. I don’t know who said it, but it stuck with me: “He who is a slave to the compass is the master of the oceans; the rest have to sail close to the shore.” Is that not great? “He who is a slave to the compass.” The compass is what the ancient mariners used to guide their ships with. Submitting to the compass actually gives freedom. This is also the case with truth. Truth liberates you. Truth makes you free.

How have you experienced the reality that the truth of Jesus sets you free?

What are some ways rejecting the truth leads to bondage?

PRACTICE THIS

Spend time in prayer thanking God for the truth about Jesus that sets people free.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

God’s Grace Bought Your Freedom

PRAY OVER THIS

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.”

Titus 2:11

 

PONDER THIS

In the past, when a general went to war and won a great victory, he would often take a part of the prize of the battle. He would get a treasure and bring it back home as a trophy for himself—his special possession.

The Bible says in the ages to come, you and I will be trophies of God’s grace. We are His special possession. The Captain of our salvation went to bloody Calvary, defeated Satan, and paid the sin debt. He then redeemed unto Himself a special people. That’s what grace bought. We’re purchased. We’re purified. We’re special. We’re different. Grace brought salvation, it taught sanctification, and it sought service.

Jesus did not bathe this world with His blood to have you serve the world of the flesh. What has grace sought? He gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for Himself a special people zealous of good works. “O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be!” That’s what it’s all about.

How has your relationship with Jesus changed the way you live? Why is this always necessary?

What is an area where you still struggle to choose to serve Christ?

PRACTICE THIS

Take some time for self-reflection and pray about an area where you may still be serving the desires of your flesh.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Christmas Is for Freedom

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. (Hebrews 2:14–15)

Jesus became man because what was needed was the death of a man who was more than man. The incarnation was God’s locking himself into death row.

Christ did not risk death. He chose death. He embraced it. That is precisely why he came: “not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

No wonder Satan tried to turn Jesus from the cross — in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11) and in the mouth of Peter (Matthew 16:21–23)! The cross was Satan’s destruction. How did Jesus destroy him?

Hebrews 2:14 says that Satan has “the power of death.” That means Satan has the ability to make death fearful. “The power of death” is the power that holds men in bondage through fear of death. It is the power to keep men in sin so that death comes as a dreadful thing.

But Jesus stripped Satan of this power. He disarmed him. He molded a breastplate of righteousness for us that makes us immune to the devil’s condemnation. How did he do this?

By his death, Jesus wiped away all our sins. And a person without sin cannot be condemned by Satan. Forgiven, we are finally indestructible. Satan’s plan was to destroy God’s rule by condemning God’s followers in God’s own courtroom. But now, in Christ, there is no condemnation. Satan’s treason is aborted. His cosmic treachery is foiled. “His rage we can endure, for, lo, his doom is sure.” The cross has run him through. And he will gasp his last before long.

Christmas is for freedom. Freedom from the fear of death.

Jesus took our nature in Bethlehem, to die our death in Jerusalem — all that we might be fearless in our city today. Yes, fearless. Because if the biggest threat to my joy is gone, then why should I fret over the little ones? How can you say (really!), “Well, I’m not afraid to die but I’m afraid to lose my job”? No. No. Think!

If death (I said, death! — no pulse, cold, gone!) if death is no longer a fear, we’re free, really free. Free to take any risk under the sun for Christ and for love. No more enslavement to anxiety.

If the Son has set you free, you shall be free, indeed!

John Piper 

Freedom vs. Temporary Reformation

PRAY OVER THIS

“For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.”  2 Peter 2:21

 

PONDER THIS

Those who live by truth get more and more freedom. Those who do not live by truth but live by lies experience more and more bondage. Reformation without transformation leads to greater degradation and final condemnation. It’s better for you not to have known the way of truth than to reform your life without meeting the Lord Jesus Christ. The classic example of that is Judas. Judas heard the truth. Judas reformed his life. Judas was a disciple of the Lord Jesus for a time. He escaped the pollution of the world for a while, but his latter end was worse than his first. Jesus said it would have been better for him if he had never been born. Sinful desires do not disappear by reformation. They only hibernate and wake up stronger. That’s what Peter was saying. It would be better for them not to have known the way of truth then, after they’ve heard the holy commandment, to turn from it. Salvation, on the other hand, gives you a new nature.

How can you know the difference between freedom and temporary reformation in your life?

What are some other Bible passages that speak to this?

PRACTICE THIS

Prayerfully examine your life today, assessing if you are living according to freedom from God or reformation in your own strength.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

The Only True Freedom

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.” (John 8:31–32)

What is true freedom? Are you free?

Here are four things that need to be true if we are going to be fully free.

If you don’t have the desire to do a thing, you are not fully free to do it. Oh, you may muster the willpower to do what you don’t want to do, but nobody calls that full freedom. It’s not the way we want to live. There is a constraint and pressure on us that we don’t want.

And if you have the desire to do something, but no ability to do it, you are not free to do it.

And if you have the desire and the ability to do something, but no opportunity to do it, you are not free to do it.

And if you have the desire to do something, and the ability to do it, and the opportunity to do it, but it destroys you in the end, you are not fully free — not free indeed — when you do it.

To be fully free, we must have the desire, the ability, and the opportunity to do what will make us happy forever. No regrets. And only Jesus, the Son of God who died and rose for us, can make that possible.

If the Son shall set you free, you shall be free indeed (John 8:36).

John Piper 

The Best Form of Slavery

He who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ. (1 Corinthians 7:22, my translation)

I would have expected Paul to switch the places of “Lord,” which means Master, and “Christ,” which means Messiah.

He correlates our liberation with Jesus being our Master (“a freedman of the Lord”). And he correlates our new slavery with Jesus being our Messiah (“a slave of Christ”). It seems strange because the Messiah came to liberate his people from their captors; and masters take control of their slaves’ lives.

Why does he say it this way? Why correlate slavery (rather than liberation) with Messiah, and liberation (rather than slavery) with Master?

Suggestion: The switch has two effects on our new liberty and two effects on our new slavery.

On the one hand, in calling us “the liberated of the Lord,” he secures and limits our new liberty:

His lordship is over all other lords; so our liberation is uncontested — absolutely secure.

But, free from all other lords, we are not free from him. Our freedom is mercifully limited. Jesus is our Master.

On the other hand, in calling us the “slaves of Christ,” he loosens and sweetens our slavery:

The Messiah lays claim on his own in order to bring them from the confines of captivity into the open spaces of peace. “Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end” (Isaiah 9:7).

And he makes them his own to give them the sweetest joy. “With honey from the rock I would satisfy you” (Psalm 81:16). And that Rock is Christ, the Messiah.

So, Christian, be glad in this: “He who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord” — the Master. “Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ” — the loosening, sweetening Messiah.”

John Piper 

Have You Experienced Freedom from Fear?

PRAY OVER THIS

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7

 

PONDER THIS

Thank God that Paul didn’t just tell us the problem in 2 Timothy 1:6-8; he also gave us the answer. When he gave Timothy the answer he also gave us the answer for he said in verse 7, “For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

These three things—power, love, a sound mind—can give you a future free from the bondage of fear. When I say the bondage of fear, I’m not saying a future free from fear. I wouldn’t want a future free from fear. It is right for us to have a reverential fear of God. I’m talking about productive fear. Productive fear is good. It is through a right fear of God that we are free from the wrong fear of man and of the world.

How have you experienced the truth that a right fear of God leads to freedom from worldly fear?

Where do you currently have a spirit of fear? How might you submit this to God?

PRACTICE THIS

Make a list of the things weighing most heavily on your mind right now. Ask God to give you freedom from fear that is not productive for His glory.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Christmas Is for Freedom

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. (Hebrews 2:14–15)

Jesus became man because what was needed was the death of a man who was more than man. The incarnation was God’s locking himself into death row.

Christ did not risk death. He chose death. He embraced it. That is precisely why he came: “not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

No wonder Satan tried to turn Jesus from the cross — in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11) and in the mouth of Peter (Matthew 16:21–23)! The cross was Satan’s destruction. How did Jesus destroy him?

Hebrews 2:14 says that Satan has “the power of death.” That means Satan has the ability to make death fearful. “The power of death” is the power that holds men in bondage through fear of death. It is the power to keep men in sin so that death comes as a dreadful thing.

But Jesus stripped Satan of this power. He disarmed him. He molded a breastplate of righteousness for us that makes us immune to the devil’s condemnation. How did he do this?

By his death, Jesus wiped away all our sins. And a person without sin cannot be condemned by Satan. Forgiven, we are finally indestructible. Satan’s plan was to destroy God’s rule by condemning God’s followers in God’s own courtroom. But now, in Christ, there is no condemnation. Satan’s treason is aborted. His cosmic treachery is foiled. “His rage we can endure, for, lo, his doom is sure.” The cross has run him through. And he will gasp his last before long.

Christmas is for freedom. Freedom from the fear of death.

Jesus took our nature in Bethlehem, to die our death in Jerusalem — all that we might be fearless in our city today. Yes, fearless. Because if the biggest threat to my joy is gone, then why should I fret over the little ones? How can you say (really!), “Well, I’m not afraid to die but I’m afraid to lose my job”? No. No. Think!

If death (I said, death! — no pulse, cold, gone!) if death is no longer a fear, we’re free, really free. Free to take any risk under the sun for Christ and for love. No more enslavement to anxiety.

If the Son has set you free, you shall be free, indeed!

John Piper