Free Indeed | Sermon 06/04/2023

John 8:31-36

While in Jerusalem Jesus spoke to crowds of people and specifically in this section, He addresses some of those who previously believed in Him. Our Lord gives the test for true discipleship: if one continues in His Word. Jesus is not concerned about convert numbers but quality of converts. He wants true believers who abide and persevere in His word until the very end. The results of believing and remaining in His word are knowing the truth and being set free. One will be privy to the words of God which come forth from the God of truth and therefore are true. And this is a freedom to something and a freedom from something. A freedom to eternal life and a freedom from the slavery of sin. The problem is this is a slavery in which the people enslaved are deluded enough to think they are their own masters. But Jesus confirms that everyone, without exception, who sins is a slave to it; whether they have a higher or lower proclivity to it— it doesn’t matter.

The Jews especially have forgotten their merciful Master and gone after other gods. The son of the bond-woman doesn’t get the inheritance but the son of the free woman does. Jesus is the seed of the free woman and He offers to purchase us with His blood and bring us into the home with Him forever. And if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. That word ‘indeed’ in the Greek is ‘ontos’, which means something pertaining to reality that is actually true, certain, and real. If the Son makes you free, you will be not figuratively free. You will not be sort of free. You will not be possibly free. If the Son sets you free you are actually, truly, really, certainly free. There is a certainty to it. If Christ purchased you with His blood, He makes no returns and no exchanges. Why? Because He makes no mistakes. And this freedom changes your position and inclinations. If you say you’re free, are you? And if you aren’t free, are you going back to slavery? If you and I are disciples of Christ may we remain in His word forever.