True Freedom

John 8:31-38

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”. 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. 38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father”.

Notes

Jesus declared that He is not of this world, unlike humanity; He is from above. And those who do not believe in Him will die in their sin. Although Jesus has been telling the listeners who He was, not everyone understood. That is why they had to ask who He was. According to Jesus and His apostles, He is the Son of Man, Son of God, Messiah, Light of the World, the Word of God, the Judge, and God Himself. Jesus continued to speak to a mixed crowd, with many believing but with those who sought to kill Him.

1. Abide in His Word

   Jesus stated that His disciples will remain in His word. His word is truth, and the truth will set His disciples free. It follows that those who say they believe Him but do not remain in His word are not true disciples, and they are not free.

   
   31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).

2. Slave vs Son

   Jesus explained that those who practice sin are slaves of sin, which means all humankind are slaves to sin because all have sinned. He also expressed that if the Son sets people free, they are free indeed. He makes an inseparable connection between the truth and Himself.
   
   33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:33-36).

3. My Father vs Your Father

   Jesus replied to those who claimed to be Abraham’s descendants; the very same people who wanted to kill Him. Jesus once again declared that He only speaks what His Father says. But the Jews who were trying to kill Him followed the words of their father, the devil (8:44).

   
   37 I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. 38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father” (John 8:37-38)

Application

1. Remain in His Word

   We must believe in Him, and if we do, we must remain in His word at all times. If we deviate from His word, then we are not true disciples. What does it mean to remain in His word? We must believe and obey.

2. Explain Freedom in Christ

   We must explain that only Jesus can set us free from the penalty and control of sin. He is the Son who can set the slaves of sin free. Who are slaves? All who sinned at least once. Every person is a slave of sin, but Jesus can set us free.

3. Speak His Word

   We must speak His word regardless of resistance. The devil will manipulate people to counter the gospel. But if God is our Father, and Jesus our Sovereign and Savior, then we must speak His word.

Reflection & Discussion

1. According to Jesus, what is a true disciple?

2. According to Jesus, who is the slave of sin, and who can set slaves free?

3. Jesus spoke what he has seen from the Father, how then should we speak?