John 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to the Jews who believed on Him, If you continue in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
We often think of freedom as the ability to do what we want, when we want, without interference. So when Yeshua says things like “Don’t worry about tomorrow,” “Forgive seventy times seven,” or “Turn the other cheek,” they strike us as anything but freeing. They sound like burdens, not blessings — commands that restrict rather than release.
But that reaction reveals a deeper misunderstanding. The problem isn’t with Yeshua’s (Jesus’) words — it’s with how we define freedom.
In today’s world, people often think being free means being in charge. The world teaches that freedom means doing whatever we want, making our own choices, and not letting anyone or anything stop us. It’s about trying to get rid of anything that might stand in our way so we can take full control of our lives. The more control we think we have, the more we think we’re truly free.
But this definition is deceptive. The more we strive to control, the more we fear losing it. We become enslaved to anxiety, anger, and endless striving. True freedom can’t be built on fear. It doesn’t come from ruling over life–it comes from being released from the need to.
Scripture offers a radically different definition. According to the Bible, true freedom isn’t found in self-determination—it’s found in surrender—not surrender to chaos or despair but to a good, sovereign, loving God who alone holds the universe together.
Yeshua didn’t come to make us completely independent — He came to give us a relationship with Himself. When He says, “Follow me,” He’s not trying to trap us or take away our lives — He’s actually showing us the way to real freedom. It might not make sense initially because it means letting go of the idea that we’re in control. But when we do, we’re set free from fear, from constantly trying to prove ourselves, and from the heavy pressure of trying to fix everything on our own.
This is what makes Yeshua’s teachings so powerful and different. Forgiveness, trust, generosity, and humility aren’t rules that hold us back—they’re actually the keys that set us free. They open the door to a new way of life because we simply trust the One who’s watching over us.
When we live by the world’s definition of freedom, we carry a burden we were never meant to bear. But when we embrace the biblical view, we find that true freedom is not the power to control life, but the peace to trust the One who already does.
One of the most amazing truths in God’s Kingdom is this: true freedom comes when we surrender. When you give your life to Him, you’re no longer trapped by the pressure to perform, please everyone, or chase after your own way. Instead, you’re set free—free to love without fear, to give generously, to forgive completely, and to live with peace and purpose. Why? Because your life is anchored in Someone far greater than yourself. That’s real freedom—and when the Son sets you free, you are free indeed!
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[worthy_plugins_devotion_single_body]Over twenty years ago, not long after I came to faith in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) the Lord began putting it in my heart to create a website where believers could be informed about world, national and Christian news — so that they could more effectively pray.
As we continue our study in Ruth during this Shavout season, the theme of redemption is prevalent. We read that Boaz became Naomi and Ruth’s “kinsman redeemer”, or “goel” – from the Hebrew, “lig’ol”, to redeem, receive or buy back. In the Torah, a provision had been made for the poor person who was forced to sell part of his property or even himself (into slavery).
We have seen that names have significant meanings, and as discussed earlier, Elimelech, whose name means “My God is King”, left Bethlehem with Naomi his wife and their two sons. The birth of these two boys must have brought joy and happiness, yet, having perished in Moab actually caused their very names to lose their original meanings.
As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, leaders from around the world gather to honor those who served and died to deliver Europe and the world from the Nazis during World War 2.
During the Biblical festival of Shavuot, the book of Ruth is read. It’s a powerful story of faith, restoration and redemption. The book opens with a famine in all the land surrounding Bethlehem, forcing a difficult decision upon Naomi’s husband, Elimelech. Now, Bethlehem (beth: “house”, lechem: “bread”) literally means “house of bread”, so the irony of Elimelech’s departure from his home, “house of bread”, during a famine, is lost on English speaking readers, but reveals that every detail in the word of God can be meaningful, especially the meanings of names.
One of my favorite ministers of the Gospel is D.L. Moody. He tells a story about having heard Pastor Henry Varley once say that, “The world has yet to see what God will do with and for and through the man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him.”
The Lord is quoted in this scripture in Matthew and it contains an important principle which I think we sometimes tend to overlook. Many believe and even teach that if someone acquires much material prosperity, then God has surely given them favor, and that if someone is undergoing extreme trial, it must be because they have sinned or that they lack faith. But the Lord says that the sun rises and the rain falls on both the righteous and the unrighteous alike. A life of good circumstances does not necessarily mean that God is with us. And likewise, a life of trial and suffering does not mean that God is not with us!