(John 8:34-36 ESVUK) (34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. (35) The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. (36) So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Christ’s freemen are free from the slavish fear of God. They no longer look at Him with dread and alarm, as an offended Maker; they no longer hate Him, and get away from Him, like Adam among the trees of the garden; they no longer tremble at the thought of His judgment. Through the Spirit of adoption which Christ has given them, they look on God as a reconciled Father, and rejoice in the thought of His love. They feel that anger is passed away. They feel that when God the Father looks down upon them — He sees them in Christ, and unworthy as they are in themselves, is well-pleased. This is true liberty. This is to be free. [J.C. Ryle [Internet Archive link]1, emphasis original.]
1[September 30, 2022: We added the link to J. C. Ryles Freedom! The Internet Archive link is a copy of that link. Editors.]
[September 30, 2022: Editors’ notes:
—For some comments made prior to September 30, 2022 that quoted from the post, the text in the comment that was quoted from the post might no longer be an exact match.
—For some comments made prior to September 30, 2022 that quoted from the post, the text in the comment that was quoted from the post might no longer be found in the post.
If you would like to compare the text in the comments made prior to September 30, 2022 that quoted from the post to the post as it is now (September 30, 2022), click here [Internet Archive link] for the most recent Internet Archive copy of the post.]
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UPDATE Sept 2021: I have come to believe that Jeff Crippen does not practise what he preaches. He vilely persecuted an abuse victim and spiritually abused many other people in the Tillamook congregation. Go here to read the evidence. Jeff has not gone to the people that he spiritually and emotionally abused. He has not apologised to them, let alone asked for their forgiveness.
A Cry For Justice 
Jeff, thank you for the reminder. After being enslaved, freedom in Christ is not the easiest thing to embrace. Here’s a thought. If we don’t feel accepted in Christ because of everything that abusers have hammered into our souls, how about imagining the opposite of everything the abuser has tried to make us feel. I know I feel despondent and guilty, but I also know that my feelings don’t reflect the truth in God’s Word. I know whatever abusers have tried to tell me about myself and God is not true.
If sin is horrible, accusing, enslaving, wearying, scary, then would the opposite of sin and evil – the grace and righteousness of Christ – be freeing, embracing, accepting, validating, invigorating and refreshing? Abusers reject us, Christ welcomes us. Abusers accuse us, Christ vindicates us. Abusers threaten us, Christ encourages us. Abusers warn of a hopeless future. Christ promises a future filled with hope. Whatever abusers have tried to convince me of, I will reject and imagine the complete opposite. Abusers can try to rape my soul, but they can’t tell me how to think and feel.
Good one, NTL!