34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:34–36, NKJV).

Today is the Fourth of July. Across the land, parades, picnics, and fireworks celebrate America’s Independence Day.

How many will pause and ponder this paradox: Although living in a free country, most Americans are not truly free. Practicing sin enslaves millions upon millions of Americans (and billions around the globe).

Freedom from a tyrannical king is cherished and celebrated. Yet, sin’s tyranny over the soul is more brutal and enduring than any earthly dictator’s oppression.

Are you free from sin today? The Son of God wants to make you “free indeed” by saving you from sin and death (Rom. 6:23).

Freedom is not free. Jesus died to free us from sin and its death (Rom. 5:6-8; 1 John 4:9-10).

Freedom is not free. You must do something to be freed from sin’s bondage. Jesus explained, “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).

Do not refuse the greatest freedom of all. Christ’s word says to believe in Jesus, confess your faith, repent before God, and be baptized to be saved in Christ (John 8:24; Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 17:30; Mark 16:16). Abide in the word of Christ, and the Son will free you from sin. Christians celebrate this freedom every day. 

This may shock you, but there are a number of things that the Bible does not teach that a multitude of people are not aware of.

1. The Bible does not teach that one church is as good as another. Rather, the Bible says, “There is one body” (Ephesians 4:4). Christ only built one church. Are the ones He didn’t build just as good as the one He did build? That would make man’s works as good as God’s. Jesus said, “Every plant, which My heavenly Father has not planted, shall be rooted up” (Matthew 15:13). You see, Jesus didn’t seem to think that one church is as good as another.

2. The Bible does not teach that Christ will return to earth to reign on a literal throne for 1,000 years. That would be a shocking fact for more than 80% of religious people. However, the verse that so teaches is yet to be found. I read, that when Christ comes again, that will be the end (1 Corinthians 15:23-24).

3. The Bible doesn’t teach that Christ was born on December 25th. Neither does the Bible teach that there were three wise men.

4. The Bible doesn’t teach that terms such as “Reverend,” “Pastor,” and “Father” should be applied to a preacher. The term “Reverend” is only used one time in the Bible, and that time it applies to God (Psalm 111:9, KJV). “Pastor” simply means one that is a shepherd over a flock. It is descriptive of an elder in the church that meets certain qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). Jesus condemned the use of such terms as “Father” in Matthew 23:1-12.

5. The Bible teaches that only those who are the members of the body of Christ will be saved. I read that Christ is “the Savior of the body” (Ephesians 5:23). Thus, He only promises to save those in the body. His body and church are one and the same (Colossians 1:18). Thus, only those in His church, the church of Christ, will be saved (Romans 16:16).

6. If number five is a shocker, this will shock you more. The Bible teaches that not all of those in the body of Christ will be eternally saved. I read how the faithful will receive a crown of life (Revelation 2:10). Some of those that were once sanctified by the blood of Christ will turn aside and be lost (Hebrews 10:26-29).

7. The Bible teaches us that “rejoice” and “forgive one another,” are commands of God (Philippians 4:4; Ephesians 4:32). These are not just suggestions that will make us better people. Neither is there an option to choose or not to choose. These are commands! Violating them is sin (1 John 3:4). To sin is to separate oneself from God (Isaiah 59:1-2).

8. The Bible teaches that “faith” is a work (John 6:29). If we are saved by faith only, we are saved by a work. If works do not save us at all, then we are not saved by faith.

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