So Jesus said to the Jews who believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you know the truth and the truth will set you free . . .Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not stay in the house forever, the son remains forever. So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. “John 8:31-32,34-36 (ESV)
If you abide in my word, this is a conditional phrase. When we follow God’s word in our daily life, we live God’s Word.
you are truly my disciples. When we live God’s Word, we model Him. People see Him when they see us.
you will know the truth Jesus tells us He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. When we learn of Him, we gain knowledge of His desires for our lives.
the truth will set you free. When we study God’s Word and apply it to our lives, we will be free of the guilt of our sins. When we should happen to accidentally sin, all we need to do is immediately ask Him to forgive us. When Jesus went to the Cross, He did it in order to take away our sins and the guilt of our misdoings.
Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. Jesus reminds the Jews that He speaks the truth. He further tells them that if anyone sins, that sin becomes his or her master.
The slave does not stay in the house forever, In the societies that practiced slavery, a slave could be bought and sold at the whim of the masters.
the son remains forever. In the Jewish faith, a son was a permanent part of each family. This is in direct contrast to the life of a slave.
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. This is Jesus’ thought on the subject of freedom for the believers. William Barclay translates it very well. “If the Son shall make you free you will really be free.
Freedom from sin, isn’t that what believers strive for?
Cecelia Lester has been serious about her writing for over two decades..
She composes Christian essays and posts them to her blog quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/
She has served in a faith-based organization, Grace In Action by writing two newsletters and searching for possible grants.
In July 2017, she published her first book, 'Times of Trouble Bring Rays of Joy.'
She and her husband of 54 years live in central Indiana. They have one grown son.