Advancing Encouragement By:
Bishop James Jr. Hairston

John: 8:31, 32: Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

The backdrop to this passage of scripture started out when Jesus forgave the woman caught in adultery while the Pharisees were trying to trap Him and He told the people that He was the light of the world, 8:1-12. Jesus spoke many things about Himself pointing out He is the Son of God and if you do not believe that He is the Messiah you will die in your sins. Well, at this time many believed on Him by all that was said about Him and those that believed on Him He gave them specific measures they will have to take in order to be set free. First of all let us look at the freedom Jesus is talking about, He is talking about being liberated and delivered from your sins no longer a slave to sin but free from sin. Remember this scene started out with the woman caught in adultery was set free when Jesus forgave her and He told her to go sin no more, verse 11. The idea behind that is being under the law which adultery is grounds for stoning. One question to point out where the man was, no one knew and here is the trap to see what Jesus would do. In fulfilling the law He said which of you have no sin cast the first stone. She had no accusers and Jesus did not accuse her either to be the judge and jury holding her guilty of capital punishment but forgave her and set her free. You see my friend, today Jesus can set you free and never hold you guilty of sin and of Gods’ wrath which in this case capital punishment but set you free. God’s judgment and punishment is to be doomed for hell in all eternity but not with Jesus you won’t be, you will be set free and set free indeed for all eternity. Yet, you have to continue, to live, to dwell and to stay in His word with expectancy is what continue means that when you totally rely on the Word of God you can expect His word to be manifested in your life in total freedom and liberation from this world and your sins. Do you want to be totally liberated from this world? Jesus said I am above this world! Do you want to be totally liberated from your sins that will send you to hell? Then eat, sleep, and drink His word with expectancy that God will change your life and change your situation to be free in Him. You will have His peace, His Joy, His love, His virtue, His comfort, His wisdom, His knowledge, His insight, and understanding about His Word working in you to accomplish the great things in your life that He has in-store for you as a true disciple of Christ. You will be able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that you ask or think according to the power that works in you, Ephesians 3:29. Today, live your life in freedom in Him, deny yourself and take up your cross daily and follow Him for your freedom, to apply all that was said and you will be set free and set free indeed in Jesus name.

James Jr. Hairston