Some people experience struggles from the moment they are born, while others face rejection and abuse during their childhood.  What has happened in our past though, doesn’t need to define our future.

 

Consider this man in our story from John 9.  He was blind from birth and the only way he could survive is by begging from others.  And as if life was not painful enough, those around him say his suffering is caused by his own sin.  The future is dark, but then he meets Jesus.

 

A glimmer of hope rises in the blind man’s heart, as he hears Jesus answering the disciples question.  “It isn’t because of his sin,” Jesus says, “but God wants to showcase his glory in this man’s life.”  Could this also be true in our lives?  It certainly can!  Whatever has happened in our past, things we maybe had no control over, God can turn around and use them for good.

 

Are you a child of God?  We are all created in God’s image, yet not all belong to him.  Many claimed God was their father in the time when Jesus walked on earth, but he disagreed with them.

 

In fact Jesus’ words were rather strong!  “You belong to your father the devil,” he told those who refused to believe in him.  Their hearts were far from God.  Rather than wanting to carry out God’s desires, they were fulfilling those of the devil.

 

So, how do we know who belongs to God?  It is those who believe he came from God, according to Jesus.  Then Jesus goes on to describe three characteristics of those who believe in him.

 

Everyone longs for freedom!  Refugees cross oceans and climb mountains, risking their lives, so they can live in safety and freedom.  However, true freedom, is not based on our surroundings, but rather on what is in our hearts.

 

A person can live in a peaceful place, but have no peace in their hearts.  If you struggle with guilt, or are overcome with anxiety and fear, or have issues with anger and bitterness, you are not truly free.  In fact Jesus says we are really slaves to these negative and sinful thoughts.

 

No-one wants to be a slave.  A slave is trapped, under the control of some-one else, and has no freedom.  We are not called to lives like that, but to live as sons and daughters of God.  The only one who can set us free is Jesus.