All we have to do is observe human behavior all around us to realize that every human being is born into sin. This includes us. Indeed, Scripture teaches that every human being is born a slave to sin. On our own, there is nothing we can do to find freedom from the sin that has enslaved us. This is grim news. Praise God, however, that He did not leave us this way. As soon as sin came into the world, He set a plan in motion to rescue humanity. At just the right time, God the Father sent Jesus to come to earth, live a perfect life, and die on the cross for our sins so that we could find freedom from sin and eternal life in Him. Faith in Jesus is the true source of eternal life.
In John chapter 8, Jesus taught a crowd of people about their sin problem. He said, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin” (verse 34). It is true that every single human on planet earth was born into sin. On our own, we can do nothing to save ourselves or find freedom. After explaining this truth, Jesus gave good news amidst the bleak news of the devastation that sin has caused. He explained that He had come to bring freedom. He continued His teaching, saying, “If the Son sets you free, you are truly free” (verse 34). Jesus was explaining to the listening crowd that He had come to bring freedom from sin and its consequences. This is the greatest news anyone could ever hear.
How did Jesus bring freedom? He brought freedom by coming to earth, living a perfect life, dying on the cross for the sins of the world, and rising again from the dead. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He overcame sin and death. As a result, when we place our faith in Him, we are sons and daughters of God, no longer enslaved to sin.
What a remarkable Savior we have! He could have left us lost in our sin, without the hope of finding freedom. Instead, He willingly came to earth, died an excruciating death on a cross, and rose from the grave so that He could bring the freedom that we desperately needed. Praise Him that He loved us so much that He stopped at nothing to rescue us.
The truth that Jesus came to set us free from sin and all of its grave consequences is something worth celebrating. It is something that we must never take for granted. Write out a prayer to God today, thanking Him for Jesus, our Savior, who stopped at nothing to rescue us.
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.”
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.”
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. 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.”
48 The people retorted, “You Samaritan devil! Didn’t we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?”
49 “No,” Jesus said, “I have no demon in me. For I honor my Father—and you dishonor me. 50 And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God is going to glorify me. He is the true judge. 51 I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!”
52 The people said, “Now we know you are possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and the prophets died, but you say, ‘Anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”
54 Jesus answered, “If I want glory for myself, it doesn’t count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say, ‘He is our God,’ 55 but you don’t even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But I do know him and obey him. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.”
57 The people said, “You aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?”
58 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am!” 59 At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.
