Ever been locked up someplace? Whether for a night, an hour, or even for a few minutes, being trapped someplace is not fun at all. As the youngest of three boys there were times when I was tricked and trapped (all in good fun).

There is only one way to be truly free. We are trapped in our performance mindset (earning our way to God), and thinking that our own way is better than God’s. We are slaves of our selfish nature, and cannot change ourselves. Our minds must be renewed, and our true selves become new.

Jesus is the One who frees us. Let’s read John 8:31-36:

³¹To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³²Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

³³They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

³⁴Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. ³⁵Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. ³⁶So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

• Think on this: What’s the only way to be free? Why does this work?