Truth Set Free (John 8:31-38) + Why It Matters

"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'  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?'"  Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.  The slave does not remain in the house forever; the Son remains forever.  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.  I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father" (John 8:31-38 ESV).

Abide in Jesus' Word 

Jesus tells us to abide in His word.  Abide (μένω) is where someone remains in Him and continues to be in His word and does not leave.  As a result of abiding in Jesus' word, one would be a true disciple of His who would know the truth.  The truth would set them free (ἐλευθερόω) which means that Jesus will cause one to be freed from the domination of sin (Arndt, et., al., 2000).  

Never Been Enslaved; Practice Sin Slave to Sin

The Jews that were talking with Jesus said they have never been enslaved (δουλεύω).  This means that they have never been owned by another or have been subjected to anyone.  They were wondering how it would be possible that they would be set free if they were not enslaved by anyone.  Jesus says that to practice (ποιέω) sin has to do with carrying out sin in a sense where it is an obligation of a moral or social nature.  He says that one who does this is a slave to sin where sin has master over them (Arndt, et., al., 2000).  

Slave Remains in House vs. Son Remains Forever

He then states that a slave does not remain in the house forever and relates it with saying that He remains forever.  Since Jesus remains forever, if He sets you free, then you will be truly free and out of the house of slavery where sin would have no rule over you.  

Offspring of Abraham Seek to Kill Jesus

Jesus knows that the Jews He is talking to say they are offspring of Abraham.  He says that contrary to this, they are trying to kill Him.  This is because His word finds (χωρέω) no place in them.  In other words, His words do not make any progress or movement among them (Arndt, et., al., 2000).  Then Jesus mentions that God is His Father and states that they do what they have heard from their father.  Later on Jesus clarifies that they are of their father the devil.  He states, "You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires.  He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44).  

Why it Matters

Sin is a major problem that causes heartache, pain, and suffering along with death and destruction.  It is separation from God where we disobey Him and it results in harming one another as well.  We do not have to be slaves to sin; Jesus can set us free because of what He did on the cross which was taking all of our sins and nailing them to it.  He took the punishment we deserve (death) and bore our iniquities on the cross.  Jesus then rose again from the dead and conquered sin and death.  He offers the gift of eternal life which includes no more sorrow, pain, guilt, and sin; instead it is paradise where we can live with Him forever.  This life is temporary; life with Him is eternal.  He asks to repent (turning to Him in faith, asking for forgiveness) and believe in the gospel with your heart.

Why would you want to be a slave to sin which binds you instead of turning to Christ in faith and repentance for freedom?  

References

Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., Bauer, W., & Gingrich, F. W. (2000). A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature (3rd ed.). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

The Holy Bible: ESV. (2016). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. 


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