Six Little Things

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.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.” (John 8:31-38 ESV). Yesterday I mentioned the importance of remembering that it is the truth that sets us free. Our reading gives us that principle. Jesus makes this declaration to the disciples and their immediate response is to quote their heritage of Judaism. They were a bit indignant that Jesus would indicate they needed to be set free at all! I’m sure some of us at one time or another feel the same way. We tout our freedom and our rights with strong passion and convincing rhetoric. However, the truth is we are all enslaved to some part of the culture in which we live. Our fallen humanity cannot allow us to not be drawn into that trap much as a moth is drawn to the destruction of the flame. We find ourselves chasing after what we perceive to be “normal.” What I have found is that “normal” keeps changing according to latest version of whatever we seek. Not long ago I read the following story from Lou Lotz detailing a list he carried with him detailing his “six daily disciplines.” They were very interesting. I thought they were excellent suggestions to aid our search for freedom. Here they are: 1. Live Simply. Don’t be overindulgent. Don’t think you always have to have more. More doesn’t make you happy. More doesn’t bring you joy. Jesus said: “For what will it profit them to gain the whole world but forfeit their life?” (Matthew 16:26). 2. Love Generously. Be lavish with love. You’re not going to run out. The hate speech we have grown accustomed to, especially in this day of political rhetoric, goes beyond anything I have ever seen in my lifetime. I would hope we could choose leadership based on their willingness to tell the truth in love. That certainly ought to be how we conduct ourselves toward others. 3. Speak Truthfully. Your word should be simple and sufficient, true and transparent. “Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No,’” said Jesus (Matthew 5:37). 4. Give Faithfully. If you are not giving cheerfully you are cheating yourself and missing one of the great blessings of God. Be generous with your time, talent, and resources. 5. Pray Daily. What are you doing today that is more important than talking with God? Don’t try to find the time. Make the time. Your relationship to Him can only get better by spending time talking with him and listening to him through the exchange of prayer and Bible Study. 6. Leave everything else to God. God has bigger shoulders than you do, and he’s up all night anyhow. Let him worry about it. When I find myself unable to sleep, “running my lists,” the “off” switch can only be found in trusting God to finish what I cannot. Freedom is within your grasp. Jesus has purchased it with his very life. Turn to him today and really get free!