October 28, 2025
The Truth Shall Set You Free - Part 2
John 8:31-33
10/28/2025
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in 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?''' (ESV)
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in 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?'''
What is the heart and core of Christianity? Is Christianity
like every other religious system, a set of laws and rules which
we must follow to obtain peace with some greater entity than
ourselves? If so, why not pick the easiest religion, or none at
all, for a system of rules and laws does not bring us hope.
``Have I done enough?'' we ask, but we cannot know the answer.
There is only doubt, and the sinking feeling that we may not have
a delightful eternity.
Jesus promised that those who followed Him, if they truly
heard and believed His word, would be set free from doubt and
worry. Jesus taught salvation from sin and death, not because of
works, but because the Father sent His Son in love to pay the
price of our sin. ``Whosoever believes in Him shall not perish
but have eternal life.''
However, that goes against our human nature. We want to be
in control, we want to take credit for our own success. The
Jewish followers pinned their hopes on being descended from
Abraham, not on the grace of God. It is ironic that the children
of Israel, who escaped four hundred years of slavery in Egypt,
who spent seventy years in Babylon, and who were even then under
the Roman occupation, did not recognize they were ever slaves.
Spiritual freedom is not political freedom. Freedom in
Christ is freedom from condemnation and the fear of death.
May our Lord grant us faith to believe His Word, that we may
be free in Him. Amen.