"Free! - to Face Judgment" (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”    Many love to quote these words of Jesus and misapply “truth” and “free” rather generically to suit whatever ideology or agenda they are promoting. But Jesus shed light on the real meaning of these words just a few verses later when he also said, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). So the “truth” is this: Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection have freed us from the condemnation of sin, the control of Satan, and the dread of death. Now that’s freedom!   During November, are giving our attention to what a difference-maker our freedom in Jesus really is. Today we are reminded of the sobering reality that every one of us will face judgment. When we are made aware that the only standard God accepts is a 100% perfect track record, we have reason to be afraid! But Jesus makes all the difference. Being free in Jesus means being free from fear of judgment.