«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).
IN HIS WORK, WHY I AM A CHRISTIAN, well-known author John Stott said he was fulfilling a mission at a Canadian university, when he got involved in an animated conversation with a young professor at that institution. The topic had to do with what it means to «accept Jesus.» In an attempt to explain this biblical concept, Stott told the professor that if he wanted to accept Jesus as his Savior, then he should give him the central place in his life, and at the same time, move to the periphery.
«Wow!» The professor replied. «I’m afraid I’m going to resist such decentralization!»
«Decentralization.» Without realizing it, the young teacher had very correctly described the change that takes place in the life of those who accept Christ: not only does the Lord become the center of their lives, but Christians also become truly free from being slaves to sin.
This was, of course, the offer Jesus made to the Jews: «You shall know the truth,» he told them, «and the truth shall make you free.» However, they showed no interest in receiving it. Were they not, indeed, descendants of Abraham? Besides, according to them, they had never been slaves to anyone.
The problem these Jews had was that Jesus was not speaking about political slavery, but of spiritual freedom; the freedom from sin that only He can give. Thus, He told them first that «whoever commits sin is a slave of sin» (v. 34); and then, that «if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed» (v. 36). If they wanted to be free from the oppressive yoke of sin, then there was only one thing they should do: move away from the center, move to the periphery, and give the place of honor to the Messiah whom the prophets had announced for so long.
What is the lesson for you and me? The Desire of Ages expresses it in an excellent way when it says that «every soul that refuses to give himself to God is under the control of another power. He is not his own. He may talk of freedom, but he is in the most abject slavery.»—ch. 51, p. 466. In other words, there are only two powers that contend for supremacy in this world, but today I want to accept the offer of freedom from the One who loved me and gave Himself to die for me (Galatians 2:20). What are you going to do? Will you move to the periphery and allow Jesus to be the center of your life?
Dear God, at this moment I move away from the center of my life and say with the apostle Paul: «I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.»
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2022
“GREAT IS OUR GOD!”
From: FERNANDO ZABALA
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate
