“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36 (NIV)
When people think about freedom, they often think about political or religious freedoms. But there is a freedom that goes far deeper: your spiritual freedom.
Most people aren’t living spiritually free lives. They’re all bound up inside. They’ve got stress, worry, fatigue, boredom, bitterness, guilt, regret, fear, and anxiety. They may live in a free country, but they’re not spiritually free.
Jesus said in John 8:36, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (NIV). Jesus is talking about himself here. He’s saying, “If I set you free, you’re going to be really, really free.”
This is what I call radical freedom. And over the next few days, we’re going to look at three great freedoms Jesus gives you when you put your trust in him as Savior.
The first great freedom of the Christian life is a clear conscience. It’s what happens when God forgives all your sins and wipes away all your guilt. He takes a giant eraser to everything you’ve ever done wrong or will do wrong.
I once saw a sign on a gas station that read, “A clean engine gives more power.” That’s true with a conscience too. Guilt is one of the most destructive emotions. It will burden you and weigh you down. The reason so many people are worn out is because they’re carrying a garbage bag of guilt over their shoulders.
But the Bible tells you, “[God] purchased our freedom and forgave our sins” (Colossians 1:14 NLT). Jesus has purchased your freedom with his own life. His death wasn’t meant to make you religious but to set you free.
Should a believer in Christ ever feel guilty? Yes—but for a nanosecond. In other words, the moment you do something wrong, confess it, and then don’t feel guilty about it.
Holding on to guilt is actually an insult to Jesus, as if what he did on the cross wasn’t enough and you need to punish yourself too.
But imagine instead waking up each day and saying, “I don’t have to worry about that anymore. It’s all over. It’s paid for.” Jesus made doing that possible!
God’s will for your life is for you to no longer to carry a load of guilt. He wants you to be free.
Radical freedom is a clear conscience. It doesn’t mean you’re perfect. But it does mean you’re forgiven. And that’s good news!
Rick Warren is an innovative pastor, renowned author, and global influencer known for founding Saddleback Church, the Purpose Driven Network, the PEACE Plan, and Hope for Mental Health. He has written several best-selling books, including The Purpose Driven Life, which has sold over 35 million copies in 200 languages. Time magazine named Warren the most influential spiritual leader in America and one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Since stepping down from the lead pastor role at Saddleback in 2022, Warren has continued to inspire people through his Daily Hope Devotional and podcast Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope. His first book in a decade, Created to Dream, was released in April 2023.
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
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