Main Thought
Sometimes, the promises of God come with a premise. A condition. Jesus made three conditional promises in John 8: that we’d be his disciples, that we’d know the truth, and that the truth would set us free. What do we need to be set free from? As humans, our “default setting” is habitual sin. Sin is any thought or action that exalts self, damaging relationships with God or others in the process. Sin attempts to meet legitimate needs (like love, comfort, control and more) in illegitimate fashion. Sin overpromises and underdelivers. We eventually find ourselves unsatisfied, and increasingly distant from God and others . Yet we continue in sin as if we’re enslaved by it. It’s a painful cycle and a painful truth. But truth in God brings freedom.
Jesus wants to set us free from slavery to sin! He’ll fulfill the three promises in John 8 if we abide in him. Then, we’ll learn what it means to be free in Jesus. Instead of being enslaved by habitual sin, we are free to do things that honor God. Things that help us grow in relationship with God and others. Things that bring lasting satisfaction and eternal impact. We can experience this freedom in Jesus when we abide in him.
Main Passages
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.
- John 8:31-32
34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.
- John 8:34
16 Do you not know that the one to whom you present yourselves as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of that same one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were entrusted, 18 and after being freed from sin, you became slaves to righteousness. - Romans 6:16-18 (NASB)
Discussion Questions
What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Passages above?
Have you ever felt distant from God or from people as a result of your sin (a thought or action in which you were wrong)? Share what happened if you’re able and willing.
What do you think it means to abide in God? What are you doing, or what can you do, to abide in God more?