S) " 34 Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.'"
John 8:34-36 (NASB)
O) Outside of Jesus Christ, it is impossible not to sin. We are born into sin, because Adam sinned in the garden of Eden, and so all of mankind is born into sin. Because of this, every person is bound to sin eventually, i.e., they are in bondage to sin. They are enslaved by sin (of some kind). And, while a person can remain alive in that sin for some time, or "in the house" as Jesus metaphorically says here, eventually sin carries the penalty of an everlasting death. The only way to escape that penalty, is to submit to Jesus, allow Him to be in charge, and He will bring freedom from sin. He is the only way. And then, in that blessed freedom that is given through the Son, we have a new nature, having been born again. No longer are we bound to sin eventually, but now we are able to live in freedom from sin, indeed, because that Son is free from sin, and has eternal life, and so is able to give eternal life.
A) This is the beautiful Gospel. Not just the forgiveness from my past sins, but freedom from my future sins! There have been times when, after making a mistake and slipping into sin, I have been overwhelmed with a feeling of hopelessness or doom. I will be tempted to believe that it's useless to try, because I'll make a mistake eventually. I'll believe the lie that I'm bound to sin eventually... bound to sin... that is the lie. In Jesus, I am not bound to anything, or anyone, but Him! I need to celebrate that freedom! I need to spread this astounding news - that people don't have to bear their guilt, or shame. I need to tell people that there is forgiveness and freedom from all of the things they've kept hidden for years! There is hope!
A) This is the beautiful Gospel. Not just the forgiveness from my past sins, but freedom from my future sins! There have been times when, after making a mistake and slipping into sin, I have been overwhelmed with a feeling of hopelessness or doom. I will be tempted to believe that it's useless to try, because I'll make a mistake eventually. I'll believe the lie that I'm bound to sin eventually... bound to sin... that is the lie. In Jesus, I am not bound to anything, or anyone, but Him! I need to celebrate that freedom! I need to spread this astounding news - that people don't have to bear their guilt, or shame. I need to tell people that there is forgiveness and freedom from all of the things they've kept hidden for years! There is hope!
P) Father, I truly cannot thank You enough for this mercy and grace. Let me constantly meditate on this goodness You have given me. Holy Spirity, help me keep my mind on this salvation. Then, being full of the confidence and joy that comes from such freedom and forgiveness, embolden me to share this amazing grace! In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
There is a second part after the jump - please keep reading!
Okay, so I felt like there was an important element that deserves it's own attention. This freedom from Jesus is free, but it is not automatic. So, to delve into that, we'll skip backwards just 3 verses in the same chapter...
S) " 31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, 'If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.' 33 They answered Him, 'We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, "You will become free"?'"
John 8:31-33 (NASB)
O) Okay, so in verse 33, we see the whole reason Jesus had to clarify about slavery to sin. People don't like to acknowledge they have problems, but if they don't acknowledge it, they won't ever have freedom - since that freedom comes from only one place. That's why I needed to have a Part 2 to my SOAP entry today. Christians love to quote verse 32 on it's own - and it is a great promise - but it's a promise that is contingent on our actions. Many of God's promises are very "if/then" promises. Jesus, in verse 31, is very clear that this freedom only comes if we continue in His word, which means that we are truly His disciples.
A) This is a very simple promise, even if it's not always easy. Study the Bible. It's as straight-forward as that. If you are not staying in the Word this way, you should expect to struggle with various sins, because the freedom you are expecting comes through being a true disciple, which comes from staying in Jesus' word, THE Word. So, in order to maintain the freedom that was given in grace, I must continue to act as a true disciple of Jesus, in every way, but especially in my dedication and devotion to God's Word.
P) Father, thank You for shaping me and molding me and forging me into the man You've called me to be. I don't deserve Your attention this way, but nevertheless, you are faithful and good and Your loving-kindness is everlasting. Holy Spirit, strengthen my resolve in my new dedication and devotion to this study of the Bible. Continue to discipline me, to make me more and more like Christ. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
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