Indian Life: Leaders need to communicate truth

The Bible has much to say about freedom and Jesus communicated a unique message of freedom during his life on earth.

In our nation we believe in democracy, which gives us freedom to vote for the candidate of our choice, as well as freedom of speech, freedom of worship and other freedoms that we cherish.

Jesus understood that bondage is more than the external restrictions and controls that people in power may place upon us. In the Gospel of John, chapter eight, Jesus spoke about two other kinds of slavery in which people get trapped: "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin" (John 8:34). The kind of slavery that he is speaking about has to do with sin taking control of our lifestyle. This could be an addiction, gluttony (eating too much), greed, gambling or many other kinds of sin.

When I lived in northern Alberta, one of the elders in a village told me about how he found a coyote still alive in the ditch along a road. The coyote had a trap caught on his foot and couldn't run away. Since the elder was a trapper, he was able to put the coyote to rest and make good use of the fur. This is a picture of how sin can trap us and slowly bring us to death.

Jesus also made people aware of how the enemy spirit world can take control over us. Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me ... You belong to your father the devil and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning ..." (John 8:42-44).

Jesus also gave clear instructions about finding the path to freedom. "If you hold to my teaching you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31,32). In the same discourse he also said, "So if the Son [Jesus] sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:36).

If we take Jesus into our life as Savior and Lord, He will wash us clean inside and deliver us from the power of sin through His indwelling Spirit. Then as we continue to receive the Word of God (His teaching and truth), we will experience this wonderful path of freedom. Only Jesus Christ can give this freedom because it begins on the inside (our hearts), and works its way to the outside (our habits and way of speaking).

In our church we often have testimonies of how Jesus has set us free. I recall testimonies of individuals who told how they were set free from drugs, alcohol and enemy spirit voices in their lives.

Bill Gothard said, "Freedom is net the right to do what we want, but the power to do what we ought." This is different than the kind of freedom that many are seeking in this world today. It is only Jesus who can give this freedom from the inside.

God wants each believer to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others, but He also wants to use leaders who will preach this message of the cross that brings true freedom.