104: Freedom

If you read a story about a man in south Pakistan who is 150 years old, do you believe it?

If you read a story about a sailor in Chile who was swallowed by a whale, and he lived because the whale spit him out, do you believe it?

The first story is not true, but the second story is.

If you have a friend how tells you some extraordinary story that is very strange, do you believe him?

Maybe yes, maybe no.

People tell stories, sometimes true, sometimes not. In the news we get stories, sometimes true, sometimes not.

How can we ever know what is true? There is one place where we can go, where the stories are always true - that is the Bible. Why?

2 Timothy 3:16 says that the writings in the Bible are true because God instructed the authors what to write. It says that God inspired the authors, that God breathed the truths into the authors, so that everything in the Bible is true.

Hebrews 6:18 says "It is impossible for God to lie."

Psalm 19:7 says "The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul."

Proverbs 30:5 says "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him."

The know that Bible is true because it is historically accurate, and all the prophesies in it are been accurate. Despite being written over 1,500 years by multiple authors from different backgrounds, it maintains a unified message about God redemption. Archaeological discoveries confirm biblical events, locations, and people, reinforcing its historical reliability. The Bible also contains prophecies that were fulfilled centuries later, such as those about Jesus' birth, death, and resurrection (Isaiah 53, Micah 5:2). Additionally, its moral teachings remain timeless, shaping societies and transforming lives. Millions of people throughout history have experienced its power firsthand, finding hope, peace, and purpose through its message. Most importantly, Jesus Himself affirmed the truth of Scripture (John 17:17), and His resurrection stands as the ultimate evidence that God's Word is trustworthy.

If you are struggling to find what is true, turn to the Bible. It is true, it is perfect, and you can trust everything you read in it.

What does the Bible tell us?

1.       The Bible tells us God loves you. Say your name. Now say that God loves you by name. I know God loves me, so I can says, "God loves Scott." (John 3:16) It is truth.

2.       The Bible tells us that you can never get to heaven by being good, by doing good things. The way to get to heaven is by believing in Jesus Christ, by praying and telling God you give your life to Jesus. You ask God to forgive all your mistakes in life, all your sins, and that you accept Jesus into your life. God will forgive all your sins, and will accept you into heaven, when you give your life to Jesus. It is truth.

3.       The Bible tells us that when you give your life to Jesus, your eternity in heaven is guaranteed. You cannot lose it. God promises eternity in heaven through Jesus. You no longer need to be scared about what will happen when you die. The Bible tells us you will be with God if you believe in Jesus. It is truth.

4.       The Bible tells us that when you give your life to Jesus, you will have God's love, God's peace, and God's freedom.

In John 8:31-36. Jesus tells us that when we are followers of Him, we will know the truth. We will know the truth of the Bible. And, this truth will set us free, and you will be free for sure.

We read the truth in the Bible that God fully loves us, and no matter what we do, that love cannot be broken.

We read the truth in the Bible that, with Jesus, God gives us such peace, that is great it is confusing, and difficult to understand. Would you like to have this peace in your life?

We read the truth in the Bible that, with Jesus, we are set free. What do we become free of?

Have you ever known someone addicted to alcohol? As much as they might want to stop, they can't - they have no freedom, they are slaves to their problem.

Have you ever known someone addicted to drugs, or sex, or cheating, or lying? If they want to stop, they can't - they have no freedom, they are slaves to their problem.

Some people are slaves to their anger.

Some people are slaves to their fear or stress.

Everyone has sin in their life. Everyone has addictions to sin.

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

1.       In Romans 6:18, we read that when we believe in Jesus, we are set free from sin. Without Jesus, we cannot control sin. With Jesus, we have freedom to stop sins. God promises that with Jesus, we always have a path away from sin.

2.       When we make mistakes in life, we feel bad, we feel guilty. Romans 8:1 tells us that, because Jesus has removed our sins when we believe in Him, we are no longer guilty. We are free from guilt.

3.       Without Jesus we are slaves. We cannot control our sin. IN Galatians 5:1, we read that, with Jesus, we are no longer slaves - we are set free from the ropes of slavery.

4.       Life can be scary, because we have no control. We read in 2 Timothy 1:7 that, with Jesus, we are free from fear, and no longer need to be scared, because God has given power and love and self control.

5.       Without Jesus, we don't know where God is. With Jesus, we now have God with us, and have the freedom to be with God any time, for God is with us always. Hebrews 4:16 tells us that we can be brave and bold to talk to God, and He is with us. We have the freedom to be with God all the time. Without Jesus, we are hindered from going to God. With Jesus, we freely go to God.

6.       The Bible tells us in Hebrews 2:14-15 that we no longer have to fear death. With Jesus, we now have life on earth, and eternal life in heaven with God. We are free from the fear of death.

The Bible is truth in what it tells us about Jesus. It tells us that with Jesus we can be free of so many things, like fear, worry, death, and sin. It tells us that with Jesus we will have eternal life, that we can know for sure where we will go when we die.

It is time to believe in Jesus. He gives truth. He will give you freedom. It is time to be free by giving your life to Jesus. Just take time now to tell God you believe in Jesus, and you want Him in your life. Jesus will come. It is true. You know it.