If the Son make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36
What is this freedom? Sometimes God is pleased to grant a manifestation of pardon at once, but oftener gradually. The first token of freedom is, to feel that we are in bondage, that we are sinners; for though all men are alike sinners in the sight of God, all are not blessed with freedom to know it, and to cry out for mercy in consequence thereof. We never cry for mercy, feelingly so, till we enjoy a little of this freedom. Then we pant for the water of life, and at last we are enabled to rejoice in a precious Redeemer.
The Son makes us free, and not ourselves. Suppose we were in debt and had naught to pay the debt, and a kind friend was to come and pay it for us, we should justly be free. “He is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” And thus is the law magnified more than if Adam had fully obeyed its commands, inasmuch as it has the obedience of God and man. By faith we realize this great truth, and are made free. God grant us the enjoyment of this freedom, and we shall be free indeed.
William Gadsby (1773 – 1844)
A Particular Baptist Blog 
Reblogged this on His Great Goodness.