“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” — John 8:36
Some chains are loud and obvious. Others are quiet and internal — the chains of fear, bitterness, addiction, resentment, self-contempt.
Advent is the announcement that the Liberating God has come near. Jesus does not tolerate the chains that bind His people. He breaks them — not by force, but by love, truth, and presence.
Freedom is not a self-improvement project. It’s not something we earn by trying harder or performing better. Freedom is a gift — purchased by Christ, offered in grace, and received by faith.
The chains we carry often feel permanent. They whisper, “This is who you are. This is all you’ll ever be.” But Advent speaks a better word: You are not defined by your chains. You are defined by the One who came to break them.
As John Stott once wrote:
“The Gospel is not good advice to be obeyed; it is good news to be believed. It is not a demand, but an offer. It is not a command, but a gift.” – John Stott
This is the heart of Advent freedom — not a demand for perfection, but an offer of liberation.
So today, name the chains you’ve grown comfortable carrying. Hold them before Christ. And hear Him say: “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
Reflection Question: What chain—visible or hidden—do you need Jesus to break today?
Practice: Write down one area where you feel bound (fear, resentment, addiction, shame). Pray this simple prayer over it: “Jesus, set me free indeed.”
Prayer: Jesus, break the chains I’ve grown comfortable carrying. Set me free indeed. Amen.
When God Came Near 