February 13, 2020 – John 8:31-35
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed 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’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. John 8:31-35.
How do we really know we belong to Jesus? We abide in His Word. It is never a waste of time to read the Word of God. Imagine what it must have been for the Disciples to be with Jesus for three years. They heard and saw Him pray, teach, heal, and raise the dead.
Only loving Jesus makes us free! Sin is like an addiction. It is difficult to give it up. We are held tight with chains to the addiction of anger, telling lies, hatred, killing others, and being unkind to others. How do we loose the chains of evil? Jesus teaches us to love God with our whole heart, soul, and mind. And love each other. The chains of sin are broken when we love each other. How do you Love? With gentleness, kindness, and with joy and patience? (Galatians 5:22-23).
Only Jesus has the power to break the chains of sin that bind us. We cannot be free without Jesus!
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are offspring of Abraham, yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.” John 8:36-38