John - Week 25

The Truth Will Set You Free 

READ 

John 8:31-33 

31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 

33 “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?” 

Notice that just because someone says they are a disciple of Jesus, this does not necessarily mean they have trusted in Him as Savior. As the saying goes, “Talk is cheap.” Jesus told how to determine whether they were really His disciples—if they were faithful to His teachings. They thought Jesus was claiming they had been slaves when He said the truth would set them free. This would begin comments from Jesus about how people can be deceived. 

REFLECT 

Have you met some who claim to be the followers of Jesus yet their lives show they have no concern about honoring Him? What would you say to such people? 

RESPOND 

Know what Jesus said to such people. Read Matthew 7:21-23 and think of who are really true disciples. Consider Judas, who betrayed Jesus, and yet had done what the other disciples were doing because they were not even suspicious of him. Think about those today who might be going along with the Christian culture but have not truly trusted in Jesus for salvation. 

Slave of Sin 

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John 8:34-38 

34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. 37 Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message. 38 I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.” 

Jesus defines His meaning of a slave. He was not referring to a slave of a human master but a slave to sin. It is evident not all who claimed to believe in Him were trusting in Him as Savior because some were trying to kill Him. Then Jesus presented a contrast between His heavenly Father and the father they were following. As seen in the later comments of Jesus, the father they were following was not an earthly father. 

REFLECT 

These people were thinking of their ancestor, Abraham. Think about your ancestors. Many may have been in right relationship to Jesus Christ, but that does mean all their descendants are. Only those who personally trust in Jesus for salvation have forgiveness of sin and eternal life. 

RESPOND 

Again the question needs to be asked: With whom will you share what you have been learning? Don’t let this good information stop with you. Some individual may be praying that someone would speak to them about spiritual truths. Let God use you to be the one. 

Children of Abraham 

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John 8:39-41 

39 “Our father is Abraham!” they declared. 

“No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example. 40 Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. 41 No, you are imitating your real father.” 

They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.” 

Now the debate involves who the real father is of those wanting to kill Jesus. They claim it was Abraham. Jesus does not agree and will tell them so in the following verses. Notice how He knew that Abraham was not their father—by their actions. Abraham would never have tried to kill Him but they were doing so. Jesus told them their actions revealed who their true father is.  

REFLECT 

As people observe what you do and say—what do they think? Do they think you are a Christ-follower or not? 

RESPOND 

Read Matthew 7:15-20 to see what Jesus said about knowing people by what you see in their lives. This also balances what was said in the first verse of the chapter. One cannot judge the motives of another, but actions can be evaluated on the basis of what the Bible says.  

Children of the Devil 

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John 8:42-44 

42 Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. 43 Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me! 44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. 

Observe from this passage that it is not correct to say “everyone is a child of God.” That is true in that all are created in God’s image, but not everyone is a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. As Jesus said in verse 44 above, some are the children of the devil. This could be considered strong talk by some, but it’s what Jesus said to the unbelievers.  

REFLECT 

As you move about people keep in mind that some could be serving the devil even though you don’t know it. Just as you cannot tell believers in Christ except by viewing their lifestyles. Plus, you don’t really know who is open to your Christian witness until you speak. Even a little comment can help, such as when being assisted by someone you might say, “I love Jesus and I love people who help others.” This can open up a conversation for you. 

RESPOND 

Ask God to make you sensitive to others so you will be aware of those who need an encouraging word, allowing you to work in a spiritual comment. Ask God to help you connect something you are doing with a helpful comment to others that might lead to talking about Jesus.  

Belonging to God 

READ 

John 8:45-47 

45 So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me! 46 Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.” 

Today there is even a bigger debate than in the earthly days of Jesus about what truth really is. Some say, “What is truth to you is not truth to me.” Such a viewpoint totally does away with objective truth. 2 x 2=4 no matter what one’s age. Jesus told the truth because He Himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (see John 14:6). As one preacher of a past generation pointed out, In Genesis 3 we see that Adam and Eve lost the way to God because they believed the lie of Satan not the truth. The result was spiritual death. Jesus now points out He is the way back to God; He is truth not a lie, and He brings spiritual life. 

REFLECT 

You can be sure of knowing the truth by reading the Bible, which is God’s written word. Be thankful that when the world’s views are swirling around you, it is safe to go to the Bible for what is the truth about how to become right with God and live a life pleasing to Him. 

RESPOND 

Determine you will go to the Bible to learn about the true God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. And also learn how to live a life that pleases God.  Do all you can to learn how to kindly refute those who do not believe in the God of the Bible. To whom are you talking today, or what are you reading to help you in this pursuit?