Self-Denial 2023: The Door To Freedom

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 (NKJV)

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

John 8:36 (NKJV)

As a Man, Jesus said, 'I can of myself do nothing' (John 5:30). In this declaration, the King of kings denied Himself and affirmed His Father. In this surrender, He became God's 'Righteous Servant' (Isaiah 53:11) on earth.

By becoming 'Of no reputation' and taking 'The form of a bondservant' (Philippians 2:7), Jesus wore God's yoke. Therein, He became earth's second free Man:* free from the devil, free from sin and death; free to preach, teach, heal and cast out demons; free to do miracles; free to save us.

He’s the Rock that forms freedom’s Foundation. Like Him, we, too, must serve… to become free. It's a requirement for all bondservants. The big question proposed by Bob Dylan, the King of kings and the Lord of Hosts is:

Who will we serve? 'Death leading to death' or 'Life leading to life' (2 Corinthians 2:16)?

The day each Christian surrenders to Christ, freedom’s Door opens. Paul put it this way: 'A great and effective door has opened to me' (1 Corinthians 16:9). Saints receive the right and righteousness to walk with Jesus…

But where will we go? King David knew where he wanted to go: 'One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life' (Psalm 27:4). Consider:

If the 'Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many' (Matthew 20:28), 'So the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads... Sorrow and sighing shall flee away' (Isaiah 35:10, 51:11).

If Jesus is both 'The Way' (John 14:6) and 'The Door' (John 10:7) to lasting freedom,

If we choose to walk through this wondrous Door, so we can live in 'The house of the Lord' forever and ever (like David did)...

How do we get to that safe House today?

Self-Denial 2023: The Door To Freedom (Part 3)

 * God’s first totally free man was Adam, but he gave it away for all of us, lost it.. until our Savior came and redeemed us.

 NOTE: This is a 2022 update of a 2012 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.