HOW TO GET FREE AND STAY FREE

JOHN 8:31-32 "...If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Life is tough.  Many people just don't know how to cope with all the things that hem them in.  Duty to husband, wife, children; to job and friends; to community and country.  And then there are the bills and responsibilities to deal with.  Sometimes you feel you are in jail only there are no bars - just pressures.

How do we get free of the pressures of life?

Jesus made it simple, he said 'continue in my word'.  There are several things he meant by this.

1. In order to continue, you have to have started.  That means you need to have a relationship with Jesus and believe in and rely on his direction and leadership.  In order to do this he says you must be 'born again', which means: to recognize your need a new way of living, you believe you can have this through the work Christ did on the cross, and through the power he demonstrated by rising from the dead, your life will be transformed, e.g. born again.

2. By following the word of God, you learn how to walk in new and freeing ways. 

3. For continued success in staying free of the 'stuff' that bogs you down, continue as you started - follow the directions found in the word of God.  Don't follow your feelings, the pressures of life or the demands of others - follow the Word of the Lord.

This will make you a disciple or follower of Christ.  He always leads you into ways of liberty.  Troubles that used to overwhelm you no longer have that power because God's directions lead you on a path of trust that keeps you above the influence of the things that used to keep you down.

When you come to know the truth of this, you will live free and stay free. 

Truth (God's Word) makes you free!  You will be able to say like Paul the Apostle, "...none of these things move me."  He had just been talking about trials, suffering and tribulations he had faced and the end result was that he was free of all the traps that could have brought him into bondage.  Even when he was put in a physical prison, he was able to sing and overcome his surroundings.

You can get free and stay free by following the Word of God continually - that's the truth!  GO WITH GOD!