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True Freedom Taught in the Bible

Can a person have freedom and not be a slave to sin? What does the Bible say about free will and how can true freedom set you free from sin and death?

TRANSCRIPT

 

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Source: youtube.com/Ad Council

Narrator: America, land of the free is at the core of who we are. Freedom. 

News Reporter: Some believe these mask orders go against their freedoms. 

Woman 1: We will protect our rights. I will not wear a mask.

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Source: youtube.com/ABC News Australia

News Reporter 2: In cities across Australia they rallied as one but with a mixed bag of messages. 

Woman 2: Freedom!

News Reporter 2: Demands to end the lockdowns in Sydney and Melbourne.

Man: We want freedom!

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INC International Edition

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Bob Pellien

San Francisco, California

Minister of the Gospel

Brother Bob Pellien: Freedom, freedom, freedom, everyone’s talking about freedom. Everyone wants freedom, expects freedom, or even demands freedom. But dear friends, do they really know what they’re asking for? Some people think that religion and freedom don’t mix, or that the laws of God infringes on their freedom. 

But what is it that will truly make you free? I am Bob Pellien. That’s what we’ll find out here today in the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition. 

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Noel Simon

Anaheim, California

Minister of the Gospel

Brother Bob: And joining us in this week’s important discussion about freedom is Brother Noel Simon in Anaheim, California. Welcome to the program, Brother Noel. 

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Donald Pinnock

Toronto, Canada

Minister of the Gospel 

Brother Bob: We have with us also, Brother Donald Pinnock in Toronto, Canada. Brother Donald, we welcome you once again to our discussion today. 

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Andrew Fisher

Melbourne, Australia

Minister of the Gospel

Brother Bob: And we have Brother Andrew Fisher from Australia. There in Australia, Brother Andrew, we welcome you from the land down under to our discussion today, which, brothers, centers around as I’ve mentioned, freedom. You know, there’s many democratic nations like, of course, the United States that have fought for freedom. Many have died in the many wars to preserve it. 

[2:05]

Brother Bob: But what really is freedom? And from the video clips that we were just introduced to as our program began, there are these that have been set aside by schools, by organizations, by governments in observance of and seeking for freedom, and have opened up discussions about freedom. But as we begin our discussion, let’s find out first, what exactly is meant by freedom. Let’s go to your first, Brother Donald.

Brother Donald Pinnock: Well, thank you, Brother Bob. And for the sake of our viewers, we can read this definition it states the following:  

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Freedom 

Oxford Dictionary 

Brother Donald: Freedom, the power or right to act, speak or think as one wants without hindrance or restraints; absence of subjection to foreign domination or despotic government; the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved, the state of being physically unrestricted, unable to move easily; the power of self-determination attributed to the will; the quality of being independent of fate or necessity. 

In other words, freedom or liberty is the right to do or act as one deems fit. They can act as one pleases without physical constraint. Do you

Brother Bob: Do you think there, Brother Donald in your neck of the woods in Canada, do you think freedom is perceived there in your part of the world in the same way that that dictionary definition presents?

Brother Donald: Yes, Brother Bob, it is very accurate.

Brother Bob: How about there in Australia, Brother Andrew, do you think they’re perceiving freedoms and freedom, and even the definition of the word and that same way as well?

Brother Andrew Fisher: It’s the same here in Australia, Brother Bob. But you know, it’s not only what’s written in the constitution of a country that will grant its citizens rights or freedoms, even the United Nations in 1948, they adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Paris, France, which later in 1976, became known as the International Bill of Human Rights. And the article of these rights state that everyone is born equal and free, having the right to life, liberty, and security that no one shall be subjected to any kind of slavery or torture. In fact, all forms of these are prohibited throughout the world.

Brother Noel Simon: Yes, brothers and dear friends, many people throughout history have given their life for such freedoms, whether it be freedom for their own country, freedom for another nation to help others become free. And so, freedom is something that everyone shares wishes, especially those who have gained that freedom. But then it can be said that for those who have gained that freedom sometimes, well, people take these for granted. 

[5:13]

Brother Bob: What do you mean, Brother Noel? How do they take freedom for granted or, in fact, it’s been said that some even abused freedom?

Brother Noel: Well, Brother Bob, some take it to mean that they can act, they can behave, they can do or say whatever they want, anything that they want, even if it may bring harm to others, or other people’s property. That’s why at times, there are news of acts of civil disobedience, because people are objective, or they don’t like the oppression that they may be feeling or they’re against decisions made by governing authorities. 

Brother Bob: They feel that their freedoms are being infringed upon. Although brothers, freedom and liberty it’s the desire of people everywhere. They want to act, they want to behave, they want to speak and move about as they please. But does that mean that in exercising one’s freedom, a person can act or behave any way that they want, even if it will bring harm to others? Is that within the realm of freedom?

[6:22]

Brother Donald: Brother Bob, if I can interject there. In truth, when it comes to the Bible, it actually teaches about man’s freedom. But the freedom man has is not the freedom to do whatever he so desires or wants. There is a limit, for even in a democracy where people have freedoms, as they call it, to enjoy and take advantage of, they’re still limited in what they can do. Why is this? Because they are bound within the parameters of the law. There are laws that are utilized when it comes to guiding the freedoms of the so-called freedoms of the people within that realm.

Brother Bob:  What then, Brother Donald, does the Bible actually have to say then, about man’s freedom?

Brother Donald: Well, we can read the following beloved viewers, written here in Genesis [chapter] 2, the verses are 16 to 17. 

And the LORD God commanded the man saying, “Of every tree of the garden, you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

[Genesis 2:16-17 New King James Version]

Brother Donald: In the beginning, when the Lord our God created man and placed him in the Garden of Eden, the man was given a commandment. In fact, according to what we’ve read, “Of every tree of the garden, you may freely eat”. So man was given freedom. But along with this freedom was a law or an instruction that restricted him for his own good.

Brother Bob: Brother Donald, what was that restriction?

Brother Donald: Well Brother, Bob, that restriction forbade him or men from eating of the tree that possesses the knowledge of good and evil that was in the middle of the Garden. If man would eat of it, he would die. He would die because he would have transgressed God’s commandments or meaning to say, he would have committed sin.

Brother Bob: So then, dear friends, man, in the beginning, was free, had freedom, but that freedom, that liberty, was limited by God.

Brother Andrew: And it’s also worth pointing out Brother Bob, and Brother Donald, that the one who limited our freedoms was our Lord God, who was the One who gave us freedom in the first place. He just restricts or limits that freedom, for our own protection, in order so that man would live.

[8:55]

Brother Bob: So as long as man would stay within the limits of his liberty, there’s no reason for him to be afraid. He would be safe. But brothers, some might probably want to interject and ask and say, “Well, who is God to limit the liberty or freedom of people in the first place?”, Brother Andrew. 

Brother Andrew: That’s a good question, Brother Bob,  and everyone needs to understand what God’s authority is. What’s His right to restrict or limit our freedoms or liberties? And the answer can be read in the Bible here in the Book of Psalms in chapter 100, and the verse is 3, let’s read what the Bible says: 

Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people, and the sheep of His posture. 

[Psalm 100:3 New King James Version]

Brother Andrew: So dear viewers, what is the authority of our Almighty God in limiting our freedoms or our liberties? Like what we heard from the Bible, it is He who has made us. In other words, God is our Creator. You know, as human beings, we’re not creatures of our own design to choose whatever we want to do and live however way that we want, because we were created by God, and God alone knows what is best for us. Therefore, if He is restricting our freedoms or our liberties, it is because He knows that it is for our greater good, and that’s something that we as His creations should also understand.

[10:33]

Brother Noel: So brothers and our friends out there, everyone needs to understand that, although God has given man freedom, it doesn’t simply mean that we can do whatever we want, or say whatever we want, whenever we feel like it. What do the apostles teach about this? The apostles teach us this in 1 Peter [chapter] 2, [verse] 16.

You are free, but still, you are God’s servants, and you must not use your freedom as an excuse for doing wrong.

1 Peter 2:16 Contemporary English Version]

Brother Noel: It’s very clear, we are free. But the freedom we have should not be used as an excuse to do what is wrong.

[11:23]

Brother Donald: In fact, Brother Noel, we should let everyone know—and please, beloved viewers, don’t get us wrong—that the Lord our God does give us or gives man freewill. He does give us the right to make up our own mind to make choices for ourselves. That’s what freedom is all about. 

However, we need to understand the freedom that the Lord our God gives us. What is it about that freedom that we should understand? Well, let’s read here in Deuteronomy, the chapter is 30, and the verse is 15. 

Today I am giving you a choice. You can choose life and success or death and disaster. 

[Deuteronomy 30:15 Contemporary English Version]

Brother Donald: So again, the Lord our God gives us the choice of freewill. We can choose how we want to live, but at the same time, we have to accept the outcome of our choice of life. We can make up our own minds about that.

[12:20]

Brother Bob: But Brother Donald, as our Creator, is God going to allow man to make his choice without any kind of guidance, without any kind of advice or any, without any understanding of the consequences of the choice or the free choice that He has given to men?

Brother Donald: Well, Brother Bob, to show the mercy and the love of the Lord our God, He does not allow man just to make up a choice without being guided. In fact, we can continue reading here in verse 19, same book and same chapter and this is stated: 

… Choose life!

[Deuteronomy 30:19 Contemporary English Version]

Brother Bob: How can one show though, Brother Donald, wait a second. How can one show that he’s made the choice of life?

Brother Donald: Brother Bob, instead of giving our own conclusion to the matter, let’s read what the Bible teaches. Same book and chapter, verse 20: 

Be completely faithful to the LORD your God, love him, and do whatever he tells you. The LORD is the only one who can give life, …

[Deuteronomy 30:20 Contemporary English Version]

Brother Bob: So, clearly there Brother Donald, God is not leaving them, then all by himself, to fend for himself and to do whatever he may think, to do whatever he wants, but has given him counsel, God’s words, His own words, is given to man so he could live by them.

Brother Donald: Brother Bob, that is correct. And that is what all people should understand about what is true freedom that comes from the Almighty God.

Brother Andrew: And that’s it, Brother Donald. Because even if we consider, for example, in the places we live, whether it’s there in Canada, or in the United States, here in Australia, we also have freedom that was accorded to us by the government. 

However, that freedom that we were given, it is still bound by the laws that are being implemented in our respective countries. And if we break those laws, though, we have freedom, if we break the laws that are being implemented, then we will also be held accountable. It’s the same when it comes to the laws of our Lord God. Yes, we have freedom, but if we break the laws of God, then the Bible calls us sinners. 

[14:38]

Brother Andrew: And you know what the Bible says about sinners? If we are sinners, we break the law of God, are we really free? Listen to what our Lord Jesus Christ says here in the Book of John, chapter 8 and the verse is 34. This is what he said:

Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 

[John 8:34 New King James Version] 

Brother Andrew: Notice, dear viewers, those who are sinners, they break the law of God. They are indeed not free. In fact, they are slaves of sin.

Brother Bob: So brothers and our viewers, as we’ve learned thus far in our discussion, and even from our past discussions here on the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition, if one is a slave of sin, a  servant of sin, the punishment that God has decreed for that is death. What death, death in the lake of fire on the upcoming day of judgment, as we have read in time past—Romans 623, The wages of sin is death, and Revelation [chapter] 20, [verse] 14. That’s the second death there in the lake of fire. Brother Noel?

Brother Noel:  Yes, Brother Bob. And so it should be clear to us and to everyone, we can see that the Bible does speak about freedom. The true freedom comes from the Almighty God. But that freedom that comes from God, it has its restrictions, and we should all be bound by those restrictions, or the laws and commandments of the Almighty God. 

Brother Bob: So then dear friends and brothers, what kind of freedom does the Bible teach? And it’s a kind of freedom that we all truly need. And dear friends, how can we acquire that freedom that the Bible teaches—true freedom? The Bible will answer that and so much more as we continue our discussion about freedom, right here on the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition. Stay with us.

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INC International Edition]

Brother Bob: Welcome back, dear friends, as we continue with our important discussion for today. And what we’ve been discussing is freedom, true freedom, and how it is nowadays that this is such a hot topic among so many, because many have their opinion or their idea about what freedom really is and what freedom really means. 

Nations have been founded for the purpose of granting such freedoms. And it’s even upheld by the United Nations, as we mentioned earlier, in the International Bill of Rights. And as we have seen thus far, the Bible teaches us it was God. He’s the One who gave man freedom in the first place. But that freedom was guided by His laws and His commandments that He gave man to obey, and to live their lives by, for his own good. 

[17:49]

Brother Bob: So the question, dear friends and brothers, the question that I would like to throw out to you now is, is there any example in the Bible of God, setting people free? Free from bondage or slavery? And if so, why did he do that? Let’s go to you, Brother Noel.

Brother Noel: We can read about these people whom God took from another country that was holding them in slavery, to set them free. We can read that here in Exodus [chapter] 6, [verses] 6 to 7:

So tell the Israelites that I say to them, ‘I am the LORD; I will rescue you and set you free from your slavery to the Egyptians. I will raise my mighty arm to bring terrible punishment upon them, and I will save you. I will make you my own people, and I will be your God. You will know that I am the LORD your God when I set you free from slavery in Egypt. 

[Exodus 6:6-7 Today’s English Version]

Brother Noel: It is the nation of Israel, God’s ancient people, mentioned in these verses. Through Moses, God’s Messenger, whom God sent to Israel, that’s how he led the people of Israel out of their slavery in Egypt.

Brother Donald: And what was the reason, Brother Noel, for this liberty or freedom being given to the ancient Israelites? Well, we can read in Exodus [chapter] 3 and the verse is 12, the following:

God answered, “I will be with you, and when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will worship me on this mountain. That will be the proof that I have sent you.”

[Exodus 3:12 Today’s English Version]

Brother Donald: So, please notice the reason why the Lord our God gave the ancient Israelites freedom from captivity—because they would be within the parameters set by God. They were expected to worship him.

[19:48]

Brother Bob: Okay, brothers, let’s pose this question. Is there a form of slavery taught in the Bible that all people need to be freed from? What is it? And if there is, how can people be freed from such captivity?

Brother Andrew: That true freedom was actually taught by our Lord Jesus Christ, we can read it in the book of John chapter 8, and the verse is 36. This is what Christ our Lord said: 

If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free.

[John 8:36 Good News Bible]

Brother Bob: Brothers, what freedom is our Lord Jesus Christ actually referring to there though?

Brother Andrew: That’s the freedom of all being set free from being slaves of sin.

Brother Noel: That is also what He says in the Gospel of John, chapter 8, in verse 34.

Jesus said to them, “I am telling you the truth: everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 

[John 8:34 Today’s English Version]

Brother Bob: How did people become the slaves of sin in the first place? 

Brother Noel: Well, Brother Bob, let us continue to consult the Holy Scriptures. And Apostle Paul answers us in Romans [chapter] 6, [verse] 16. 

Surely you know that when you surrender yourselves as slaves to obey someone, you are in fact the slaves of the master you obey—either of sin, which results in death, or of obedience, which results in being put right with God. 

[Romans 6:16 Today’s English Version]

Brother Noel: When a person surrenders himself to obey someone, he becomes their slave. You have a master to obey. In this case, the apostle says, sin when obeyed, results in death, or if in obedience to God, one is put right with God.

Brother Donald: And if I could add, Brother Noel, if one remains as a slave of sin, the result is something that we absolutely should avoid, because it’s not good. The conclusion or the result is none other than death. Just like what we can read here in Romans [chapter] 6, verses 20 to 21: 

When you were the slaves of sin, you were free from righteousness. What did you gain from doing the things that you are now ashamed of? The result of those things is death! 

[Romans 6:20-21 Today’s English Version]

Brother Donald: And the reason the result is death is because this is what the Lord our God decreed ever since the beginning, being the wages or payment of sin, just as what we can read in Romans [chapter] 6, [verse] 23.

Brother Bob: The wages of sin is death. But how many have sinned?

Brother Andrew: Brother Bob, if we read in Romans [chapter] 5, verse 12, Apostle Paul mentions there that all have sinned, and the death that God has decreed for all people because of sin that they have committed, is death in the lake of fire, come the day of judgment, as we can read in Revelation [chapter] 20, verse 14,

[23:06]

Brother Bob: How then can man be set free from this bondage or slavery to sin? 

Brother Noel: Well, in as much as it is Christ, who will set men free from that sin, 

Brother Bob: How will Christ do that, Brother Noel? How is He going to set people free from the bondage of sin? How? 

Brother Noel: Yes, Brother Bob, but He is also the one who will tell us in John [chapter] 8, [verse] 32:

you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

[John 8:32 Today’s English Version]

Brother Noel: Christ said, the truth will set you free. The truth He is referring to are the words of God written in the Bible, which is also called God’s righteousness and power that leads people to salvation. 

Brother Bob: Brothers, if a person then is set free from sin, by the truth, what must they, you know once that takes place, what then must they permit or allow to happen to themselves?

Brother Andrew: Brother Bob, those who are truly free because they have been freed from sin? What is it that they must allow themselves to become slaves of? Apostle Paul taught in Romans chapter 6 and the verse is 18. This is what he said:

And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 

[Romans 6:18 Today’s English Version]

Brother Andrew: Therefore, dear viewers, once we have true freedom, because we are freed from sin, we must then permit or allow ourselves to become slaves of righteousness.

[24:44]

Brother Bob: Dear friends, don’t become confused. It is very important, because what does it mean there, brothers, to be a slaves of righteousness? Because maybe our viewers would want to ask well, “wait a minute. I thought we’re being set free. Now we’re saying upon being set free, we become slaves or servants once again, but this time of righteousness, I thought we were set free.”

Brother Andrew: Brother Bob, let me continue reading in that chapter because earlier I read in verse 18. But if we read in verse 13, Apostle Paul clarifies that for us, this is what he said, 

Do not offer the parts of your body to serve sin, as things to be used in doing evil. Instead, offer yourselves to God as people who have died and now live. Offer the parts of your body to God to be used in doing good. 

[Romans 6:13 New Century Version]

Brother Andrew  Therefore, dear viewers, once we have been freed from sin, we must allow ourselves to become slaves of righteousness, by not allowing our bodies or any parts of our bodies to serve sin, or evil. We must not allow that we would be doing things that are wrong because we are no longer slaves of sin, but rather, we are slaves of righteousness. So, as slaves of righteousness, what then should we be doing? Well, we should be offering our bodies in service to our Lord God, in being obedient to His commandments.

Brother Bob: So what we have seen here then, brothers, dear friends, what we have learned is that our Lord Jesus Christ can set people free, free from the bondage or slavery of sin. And this really has to happen. Why? Because the consequence is severe—remaining in that condition of being in bondage, or slavery to sin, those who remain in such bondage to sin, they are the ones that will receive a punishment on the upcoming day of judgment. 

Brother Donald: Brother Bob, that is such an important point that you just made, because one could say, “well slave of sin, slave of righteousness—still a slave.” But when it comes to those who are slaves of sin, they’ll end up being destroyed. Meanwhile, those who are in ways the Bible does teach slaves of sin, but rather they are servants of God, there are greater blessings awaiting them. So if we allow ourselves, dear friends, to be set free from sin by our Lord Jesus Christ, we must as well allow ourselves to become servants or slaves of righteousness in obedience to the will of the Lord our God, because this will be for our own good. We will be doing also good in the sight of our Father in heaven.

Brother Bob: We need to find out next, brothers, is who are those whom Christ has set free in the first place, free from the bondage of sin? And how can one remain free from sin? Even, what’s the benefit of Christ setting us free from the bondage or the slavery of sin in the first place? This and more questions like this, we will search the Scriptures together for the answers when we come back right here on the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition.

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INC International Edition

Brother Bob: Welcome back to the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition. Dear friends, we’ve been discussing today the important topic about freedom and who are truly free. Thus far, we’ve learned from the Bible the freedom we all need to desire and seek for is the freedom that Christ offers. It’s the freedom from the bondage of sin, because remaining a slave of sin would only bring harm to a person. Why? Because it means they will not be saved on the upcoming Day of Judgment. Therefore, brothers, friends, and our dear viewers joining us in our study, we need to tackle next this question: 

[29:18]

Brother Bob: Who is it that Christ sets free from the bondage of sin? Who wants to take that question, brothers? That’s a big one.

Brother Andrew: So, the apostles actually answered that question in the book of Romans chapter 5, and in verses 8 up to 9. Apostle Paul was the one who said it. He said this:

But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Chris (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us. Therefore, since we are now justified (acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ’s blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God.

[Romans 5:8-9 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition]

Brother Andrew: Dear viewers, according to the Apostle Paul, our Lord Jesus Christ, He died for us, and He shed His blood. And for what purpose did the Lord Jesus Christ die and shed His blood? According to Apostle Paul, so that we would be justified, we would be acquitted, made righteous, and brought into the right relationship with our Lord God.

Brother Bob: But what does it mean that… what does it mean to be acquitted in the first place? 

Brother Noel: To be acquitted means to be set free, as the dictionary says. Even in a court of law, if a person is acquitted of charges, they’re set free, they are no longer to be considered guilty. But this is what God does for those who are covered by the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. And those who are fortunate to have this grace upon their lives being acquitted, or forgiven of their sins. Well, the Bible says, they should be very happy. 

Brother Bob: Why should they be so happy about that? 

Brother Noel: Well, as what we can read here in Romans chapter 4, the verses are 7 to 8:

“It is a great blessing when people are forgiven for the wrongs they have done, when their sins are erased! It is a great blessing when the Lord accepts people as if they are without sin.” 

[Romans 4:7-8 Easy-to-Read Version]

Brother Noel: That is a good reason to be very happy. 

[31:54]

Brother Bob: Agreed, Brother Noel, agreed for sure. But who are those who have this great blessing to be forgiven of their sins? Who, according to the Bible, then are really and truly set free, acquitted of their sins, and its corresponding penalties. And then they are the ones who have reason also to be happy.

Brother Donald: Brother Bob, I like how you said, ‘according to the Bible,’ because so many people nowadays, they base their faith or their religion, when it comes to opinion when it comes to being born in a church or an organization. But we have to get the answer from the Bible. Because this is the sole basis of our discussion today and of true faith. It is not opinion. It is not a personal conjecture of a person, but rather it is the truth written in the Holy Scriptures. So again, we ask who are the beneficiaries of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, they obtained the forgiveness of sins through his sacrificial blood? The Bible answers through the Apostle Paul, here in Acts 20, the verse is 28:

Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood. 

[Acts 20:28 George Lamsa Translation]

Brother Donald: Dear viewers, it is the Church Of Christ, according to the Holy Bible that has benefited from the shed blood of our Lord Jesus. The members of the true Church Of Christ, they have received the forgiveness of their sins, through Christ’s blood. Therefore, they are the ones who are truly free.

Brother Andrew: Not only that, Brother Donald, but there’s another blessing that comes with being inside the Church Of Christ that was purchased or redeemed by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because not only are our sins forgiven when we’re inside the Church Of Christ, but our Lord Jesus Christ also taught something else about the benefits and blessings of being inside the Church Of Christ. He thought about it in the Book of John, chapter 10, and the verse is 9. Let’s read what the Lord Jesus Christ Himself said:

I am the Door. Anyone who goes in through Me will be saved from the punishment of sin. 

[John 10:9 New Life Version]

Brother Andrew: Dear viewers, what else is the blessing of being inside the Church Of Christ, the church that was redeemed by the blood of Christ? Not only are our sins forgiven, oh, we’ve been set free from sin itself and our sin is being forgiven, but according to the Lord Jesus Christ, because we went in and entered the Church Of Christ as He commanded, we are also set free from the punishment of sin. Or in other words in the Church Of Christ, we have the hope to receive salvation.

Brother Bob: That’s what you can call true freedom wouldn’t you say brothers—true true freedom, dear friends? 

Brother Andrew: Absolutely. 

Brother Bob: Yeah, that’s it. You know freedom can be spoken of in any kind of terms by people nowadays holding up signs—free this free that freedom, freedom, freedom—true freedom is being saved from the punishment of sin, freed from the bondage of sin that would lead to destruction and punishment in the lake of fire on the day of judgment. But brothers, here’s a question: 

[35:36]

Brother Bob: Is that all a person has to do to be freed from the bondage of sin and be saved then on the day of judgment—just become a member of the Church Of Christ and that’s it? Is that what we’re saying? 

Brother Noel: Brother Bob, dear brothers and viewers, please allow me to answer that. The gospel tells us that when we are set free from sin by Christ, we have to remain free. 

Brother Bob: How does a member of the Church Of Christ do that, Brother Noel? 

Brother Noel: Well, we cannot return to it, as what Apostle Paul says in Galatians [chapter] 5, [verse] 1:

Freedom is what we have—Christ has set us free! Stand, then, as free people, and do not allow yourselves to become slaves again. 

[Galatians 5:1 Today’s English Version]

Brother Noel: Therefore, those who have received freedom from sin and its consequence by Christ, must not return to being a slave of sin again.

Brother Donald: In fact, Brother Noel and our beloved viewers, the Apostle Paul continues to explain that further, here in Romans [chapter] 6, [veses] 1 to 2:

What shall we say, then? Should we continue to live in sin so that God’s grace will increase? Certainly not! We have died to sin—how then can we go on living in it? 

[Romans 6:1-2 Today’s English Version]

Brother Donald: So please notice when it comes to the statement of the Apostle Paul, he poses a question in a rhetorical manner, even asked, ‘should we continue to live in sin so that God’s grace would increase?’ And then he gives the defining answer, he says, ‘certainly not, we have died to sin.’ 

[37:26]

Brother Donald: So what is the proper way to live to be certain of salvation and eternal life? Again, let us consult the teachings of the Lord our God. This made known through the Apostle Paul, Romans [chapter] 8, and the verse is 12 to 13:

So then, my friends, we have an obligation, but it is not to live as our human nature wants us to. For if you live according to your human nature, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death your sinful actions, you will live. 

[Romans 8:12-13 Today’s English Version]

Brother Donald: Therefore, dear friends, we cannot afford to live by our human nature, and do what is wrong. We cannot afford to live with the thinking that we are free to do whatever we so desire, but rather the Bible teaches, we are supposed to live by the Spirit, meaning to say we should live in accordance with the will and the commandments of the Lord our God. If we do so, then we put to death, our sinful actions, and we can live, most especially we have the greater hope of attaining the true life, which is eternal life, and we can also remain free of sin.

Brother Andrew: And our Lord Jesus Christ also taught that when we follow Him in faithfully obeying the commandments that He teaches us to, it will lead us to our salvation. He taught about that in Matthew chapter 24, and verse is 13. 

But everyone who continues to believe and follow Me until the end of the world or until the end of their lives, will be saved. 

[Matthew 24:13 Plain English Translation]

Brother Andrew: That’s why to our viewers and who are tuning in to this program, we are encouraging all of you to seek out the nearest congregation and house of worship to you and join us in our worship services inside the Church Of Christ or inside the Iglesia Ni Cristo. Because we know that it is through our obedience to the commandments of our Lord God, that we can make sure that we will attain true freedom. Not only the freedom of our sins being forgiven, but the freedom from condemnation come the day of judgment.

Brother Bob: There you have it, dear friends. The Bible’s teaching and true freedom and where it can be found, where it can be obtained. Every one of us need it. And in our discussion today, we learned how important that true freedom really is and exactly how it can be acquired. So time truly does pass by fast in these discussions, doesn’t it, brothers, when we’re discussing this here.

Brother Donald: Yes it does, Brother Bob.

Brother Bob: Yeah. But we’ll return again in our next episode of the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition with more interesting topics to discuss like this one, about freedom. 

But for now, we’d like to thank brother Noel Simon, there in Anaheim, California, Brother Donald Pinnock there in Toronto, Canada, as well as Brother Andrew Fisher there in Australia. Brothers, we thank all of you for giving us Bible-based answers so that as the Apostle Peter said to the members of the Church, you’ll be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you are living the way you are. That’s First Peter [chapter] 3, [verse] 15. 

Well, that does it for us here on the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition for today. We hope you’ll join us again next time. I’m Bob Pellien. Thanks for watching. And as always, as we come to the end of our program, we conclude by inviting you to join with us for a short prayer.

Brother Andrew: Almighty Father in heaven, You are good and kind. You have given us Your words in this program, the opportunity to learn the great value of true freedom which You are offering unto us. May these teachings, dear Father, may they sink deep into our minds, and may You help all of us, dear Father, including our friends and our viewers who are tuning in, that we may understand how to gain true freedom that comes from You, through the sacrificial death of Your Son, by being members of the Church Of Christ. 

May You continue to guide and take care of us. May Your words always serve as our faith foundations, that everything we do in this life may be guided by You, especially as we serve You and aspire to receive salvation. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we also pray to You. Please bring our prayers to the Father, please increase our faith, and please forgive us from our sins. Almighty God once again we pray to You. May You bless the Church Administration, who You used to guide us through Your words, that all of us may be brought to our salvation. All of these things we pray, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

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True Freedom Taught in the Bible