John 8:31-36

Jesus came to break the bonds of sin that kept us entangled and separated from God. Jesus is the word of God made flesh.

We abide in Him when we keep His commands to love God above all and love others as ourselves’

John 8:31-36

31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”

34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

These disciples have agreed in principle with Jesus’ teaching, but their perseverance in following His teaching will reveal whether they are genuine disciples. Knowing the truth about Jesus is a sign of spiritual freedom from the bondage of sin.

The Israelites as a people group had been enslaved to Egypt, and Israel and Judah had been under the domination of five successive world empires: Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. Membership by birth was superior to membership by obligation. Faithlife Bible.

Abide means to remain, to continue. A believer who continues to obey the Word is a disciple, a learner. One who abides in the Word of God knows the truth. The word free refers to freedom from the bondage of sin. Obedience to the Lord means fellowship with Him, protection from sin, and experiencing His love. Throughout this chapter, Jesus was engaged in an exchange with His antagonists, the Pharisees. The Pharisees’ objection is startling. In their past, the Israelites had been in bondage to the Egyptians, the Assyrians, and the Babylonians. At the time they spoke, Israel was under the power of Rome. Jesus was speaking of spiritual slavery. Such a slave cannot break away from his bondage. He must have someone else set him free. A slave was not a permanent resident of a house. A son remained a family member with family privileges forever. As a family member, the Son can bestow family privileges on others. NKJ Bible.

Proverbs 5:22 | His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, and he is caught in the cords of his sin.

Galatians 5:1 | Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.