The Son will make you free

Introduction

The Lord Jesus has been teaching the people and answering the objections that were being brought against him. In v.30 we read that as he was saying these things many believed.

So the Lord Jesus encourages those who believe to continue in the truth, because the truth will make them free.

This offends them because they feel mthat they are already free. They claim that because they are the children of Abraham. They have never been slaves.

The Jews in our passage thought that they were automatically included in God’s kingdom because of their nationality. The Lord Jesus does away with that notion and shows them their problem is the same as everyone elses, but the good news is that Jesus can deal with that problem.

I. The hard truth

V.35 says “Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. “

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Jesus here is speaking to the Jew’s who are questioning what he has said, but yet we learn a truth that is universal.

The Bible says that sin is lawlessness- which means when we break God’s law we commit sin.

Whoever continues in a life of sin does so because they are slaves of sin.

The Bible says that sin is lawlessness- which means when we break God’s law we commit sin.

This truth can be offensive. The people in the passage were offended.

A slave to sin means that you are unable to break free from the sinful patterns in your life.

The people were claiming to Jesus that they were free, but Jesus is telling them that they are not and the evidence is their sin.

This is a condition that every person is in naturally. The Bible says in “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” The sin that people practice shows their slavery to it.

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The Jews thought they were free but they were not.

Its the same for people today. Many people think that they are free. Although in a different sense.

The Jews thought they were free because they were descendants of Abraham.

In our society people think they are free when they live how they like.

Sometimes in our culture it can be a popular idea that the more reckless you live the more free you actually are.

The worst you behave the more freedom you are excercising. Behaving without restraint shows you are not restrained by rules and regulations.

Just as Jesus did away with the Jewish idea of freedom, so he does away with the 21st century western idea of freedom.

Those who commit sin are not free because they are actually slaves to their sin.

Whats the problem with this?

We find out in the next verse.

II. The outcome

English Standard Version Chapter 8

The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.

In v.35 Lord Jesus tells us why you do not want to be a slave to sin, V.35 says “The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.”

Here the Lord Jesus tells us why you do not want to be a slave to sin.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

The house referred to is the house hold of God. The Father’s house in heaven. Referred to by Jesus is .

The image here is that the slave is not an heir and only has a temporary position in the house.

Where as the son was the heir and they would always be part of the household.

Jesus is using this picture to say the slave to sin will not abide in God’s house.

A slave to sin, meaning someone who practices sin, someone who lives a lifestyle that is displeasing to God. They will not be with God in eternity.

Then he says, but the son abides forever. Therefore, people need to be set free from the bondage of sin and they need to be made children of God.

It is the person who is the child of God that will dwell with God forever.

This fearful outcome is the reason why the truth must be told so that people can deal with their bondage to sin.

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This might be a good place to pause and ask; which one describes me? Which one of these two catergories do I fit in to?

Would I be classed as a slave to sin or a child of God?

So, if this is true, bondage to sin will seperate people from God forever...

How can a person be set free from such bondage?

How can a person be made a child of God?

III. The hope

Now we get to the good news.

In v.36 Jesus says “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Jesus here is referring to himself as the Son of God.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

He is saying if I set you free from the bondage of sin then you will be free indeed.

Here we learn the encouraging truth; Jesus Christ sets people free from the bondage of sin.

What does Jesus mean when he says that he will set people free?

Jesus sets people free from the slavery of sin in two ways.

a)He sets people free from the guilt of sin - justification

The Lord Jesus can take away our sin and make us right with God because he died upon he cross to pay for our sin on our behalf. He gave his life as a ransom for us, and three days later he rose again from the dead.

This means that all who turn from their sin and believe in him are set free from the guilt of sin. The guilt before God they once had because of the wrong they had done is taken away by the Lord Jesus.

In Jesus people

Jesus sets free from the guilt of sin.

b) He sets people free from the power of sin - Sanctification

When a person believes in Jesus he changes their heart and they are enabled by the Holy Spirit who dwells in them to live lives that are pleasing to God.

The Lord Jesus releases people from the slavery and bondage of sin.

Those who have a bad temper are made patient and kind. Those who are dishonest become honest.

This does not mean that if you become a Christian you are perfect and you don’t still struggle with sin. But, what it does mean is that you are changed and each day you become more and more like Jesus and less and less like how you used to be.

Conclusion