Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (The Gospel of John 8:31-32). We value our freedom very much and regard liberty as fundamental to our society...

As we adjust to the changes to our everyday lives, with severe restrictions on our freedom to go about our normal business and even to go outside at all, we have mixed feelings. On the one hand, most of us realise this has to be necessary to protect lives; only the foolish and selfish will disregard the instructions. On the other hand, it is difficult for us because we do value our liberty so much. We would rather be free than ‘captives’.

Jesus is offering to us a different sort of freedom from a different sort of captivity. He is offering freedom from the guilt of our sin and all its consequences. This freedom is so comprehensive that even death – the ultimate consequence of sin – is overcome. How can this be possible? The answer lies in the message of the death of Jesus upon the cross and the glorious truth that He was raised from the dead and is alive forevermore. By the shedding of His blood He paid the price for the sin of others, by His resurrection from the dead we know that He really is who He claims to be - God's own Son, the Saviour of the world; that He really has overcome sin and its consequences; and that He really can give us what He promises - forgiveness of sin, acceptance by God and new life that will last beyond this life and continue forevermore. This is true freedom and a freedom we can have whatever our physical circumstances may be.

How do we know this? Because it is promised in the Bible, God's Word of truth where we find Jesus’ teaching. How can you receive this gift? Believe what the Bible says and trust in Jesus to set you free from sin and to bring you to God and to life. These are God's spiritual instructions for us all. Ask yourself, wouldn't you rather be free than a captive?