Day 142: 1 Chronicles 6-7; John 8:12-38; Day 44 Prayer Journal

If you know me, and were listening to our preacher yesterday, Rev. Wes Tink shared a testimony about reaching a neighbor for Jesus. When the man got to reading the Bible, his observation was, "I don't like the Old Testament, but I like the New Testament." I smiled. Passages like today's O.T. scripture are one of the excuses people use for not liking it. I was about to focus in on the genealogies until I read our Prayer Journal devotional (you should read it) that dovetailed with our N.T. reading...God's timing is exquisite! Go ahead, read John 8:12-38.

It gets me that three times Jesus tells the religious leaders they will 'die in their sins' (8:21, 24). That is an eternal death sentence! Hell! That would stop me in my tracks and make me, a religious leader, do some deep introspection to correct my condition. They are more interested in where Jesus is going and who He is. Talk about deflection, denial. That's the world we live in. God help us!

In all of this, Jesus clearly gives the answer to their dilemma. In the cross (our lifted up Savior's death) is our only hope (8:28) and this is borne out by His word:  “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32). Continuing to live in sin makes us slaves to sin and excludes us from the Father's  house (8:34-35). But, if the Son sets us free, we are free indeed (8:36). Those who are free are only so as they live in intimacy with Jesus, becoming Christlike disciples. Glorious freedom!

Today I challenge you as I do myself: it's time for a heart check, a spiritual check-up. Am I truly free?