It’s so much better to be on the right side of the law. Sadly however, that’s not always the case. Even the most law-abiding people can find themselves in the wrong. When I find myself on the edge of the law I experience a deep unease.  I don’t want it to be that way and I struggle to find a way out. That’s how it was for the Apostle Paul. If there was ever a man who truly intended to follow the law of God, it was him. But still he wrestled with the law. He struggled with sin. He recognised the struggle within himself. Romans 7:25 tells us internal struggle: So with my mind I serve the Law of God, although my selfish desires make me serve the law of sin. He explains it more fully in verses 15 & 16: In fact, I don’t understand why I act the way I do. I don’t do what I know is right. I do the things I hate. Although I don’t do what I know is right, I agree that the Law is good.
He arrives at a low place: What a wretched person I am: who will deliver me?  Where does he go for peace – to resolve his guilt: Thank God! Jesus Christ will rescue me. (Romans 6:25)
Sadly, too often we fail to resolve our guilt and we carry it with us. We even compound it by adding layers of sin – digging ourselves deeper into the mire. We become slaves to sin.
So what is the only things that can free us and make us right with God? Where can we get a righteousness that is true and real, that lasts and carries us safely through life in the presence of God – despite the sin that lingers and lurks within us?
Here’s the answer given by the Apostle Paul:  This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. And here’s Jesus’ invitation in today’s Gospel to be a living part of God’s family and live in true freedom:  Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it for ever.
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:35,36