What if Jesus had said these words in John 8? Who would have received that message?
But he did not; Instead, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31, 32)
But what does he mean by the truth? What does he mean by free?
Jesus said to Thomas, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)
And then back to John 8:36, "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." Jesus is the truth. If you know him, he will set you free.
He tells us in Verse 34, 35, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, [but] a son abides forever."
Many have taken John 8:36, as a license to do as they wish, but Paul addresses this clearly in Romans 6.
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?...that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin." (Read Hebrews 6 for even more on that)
But here's the real kicker! Look at Romans 6:22-23. "But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin [is] death, but the gift of God [is] eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
So... You Shall Know the Truth (Jesus), and the Truth Shall Make you Free (Slaves to God)
On this Fourth of July remember, if you know Jesus, you are FREE: "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death." (Rom. 8:1-2)
Happy Independence Day!
HISSHEP
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