A caged bird desires to fly. But for that bird to be truly free, the door must be opened by someone with the authority to open it.
If you are reading this, you are likely seeking something similar: true spiritual freedom. You might be searching for the deeper meaning of John 8:36 or asking yourself, "How can I be made free indeed?"
Perhaps you feel like you are in bondage, whether to habits, anxiety, the chains of sin, or life’s overwhelming struggles. You may have been told the cause of your problems, yet never offered a lasting solution.
Search no more. This article is for everyone seeking freedom that lasts forever. By the end of this read, you will understand the biblical secret to liberation and the power behind the promise that who the Son sets free is free indeed.
What Does It Mean To Be "Free Indeed"?
Before we can embrace freedom, we must define it. What is true freedom?
In a general sense, freedom is the state of immunity or exemption from an obligation, a duty, or enslavement. However, there is a difference between a temporary release and being "free indeed."
Think of a servant. A servant may have moments of rest, but they remain a slave to their master. They are not truly free until their status changes. To be made free indeed means to be made free in Truth. It is a permanent change in status from a prisoner to a free citizen.
The Root of the Problem: Knowing the Truth
You might wonder, "Why am I not free?"
Before you conclude that your situation is hopeless, I encourage you to understand that most spiritual and emotional bondages originate from what the Bible calls SIN. To remove the problem, we must tackle it from the root.
Freedom is not found in the ideologies of men, self-help books, or temporary distractions. Freedom is found in the Truth.
What Is the Truth?
In a world full of facts and opinions, we must look for the absolute Truth. Jesus Christ defines this clearly in John 14:6:
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
Here, we see that the Truth is not just a concept; it is a Person. Jesus Christ is the Truth. He is the only one capable of offering freedom that lasts.
Who the Son Sets Free is Free Indeed
The core of your freedom lies in a specific promise Jesus made to the Jews who questioned Him. This conversation, found in John 8:31-36, reveals the distinction between religion and relationship, and between slavery and sonship.
"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32)
The people were confused. They claimed they were descendants of Abraham and had never been in bondage. Jesus answered them with a profound reality check:
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever." (John 8:34-35)
And then, the ultimate promise:
"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8:36)
Why the Son?
Jesus explains that a "servant" (someone living in sin) does not have a permanent place in the house. They can be evicted. But a Son remains forever. Because Jesus is the Son of God, He has the authority to break the chains of the servant and bring them into the family.
Governmental pardons or earthly solutions only affect temporary punishments. They cannot fix eternal separation from God. Only the Son has the authority to grant eternal freedom.
Three Steps on How To Be Made Free Indeed
Knowing that Jesus is the source, how do we practically walk in this freedom? A prisoner who finds a way out of prison will always remain grateful to the one who led him out. Here is how you follow the Leader of your freedom.
1. Know the Truth
You cannot be free if you remain ignorant. Freedom begins with knowledge. You must know who Jesus is and what He says about your situation. This requires reading the Word of God.
2. Believe in the Truth
Knowledge acts as the door, but faith is the key that turns the lock. You must believe that Jesus died for your sins and that His finished work on the cross is sufficient to break your chains.
3. Live in the Truth
To be free indeed is to abide. Jesus said, "If ye continue in my word." This means living in His righteousness by faith. We grow in this freedom as we commune with His Spirit (the Holy Spirit).
Stand Fast in Liberty
Do you know Jesus Christ? The revelation of who He is goes beyond a simple article, but it starts here.
Jesus says in Revelation 21:6: "It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."
If you are thirsty for freedom, He is offering it to you.
Dearly beloved,
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." (Galatians 5:1).
A Prayer for Freedom
Lord, we pray for insight into the Scriptures. Grant us an understanding that brings the light of the Truth revealed to us. We ask that You give us the enablement to comprehend and live in the Truth, found only in Christ Jesus. Let us walk in the reality that who the Son sets free is free indeed. Amen.
