An Unsupported Claim of Freedom
They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been in
bondage to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will be made free’? Jesus answered them,
“Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.”
John 8:33-34
8:33 – We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been bondage to anyone. How can you say, “You will be made free?” Jesus said in verse 32, And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Jesus’ words upset the unbelieving Jews. They claimed they had never been in bondage (slaves) to any man. Many Jews claimed that they were free-born descendants of Abraham (Read Genesis 12: 3; 22: 18). History tells us otherwise. For instance, they were enslaved in Egypt, etc.
8:34 – Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. Jesus was talking about a different kind of slavery.
The Apostle Paul says all people share a common predicament (dilemma). He says, All have sinned … (Romans 3: 23). We may be different in the degree of our sins, but as Adam Clarke says, “There is absolutely no difference between the best and the worst of men” in the sense that all have sinned. Romans 3:23 also says … all fall short of the glory of God. There are various opinions that have been given about the meaning of the “glory of God.” Meanings such as “the glory of personal righteousness,” the righteousness which God judges to be glory,” or “the image of God in man,” etc.
When I was an Army National Guard soldier in basic training, one of the things I had to do was qualify on the firing range. To qualify I had to hit so many targets. I was shocked when I found out I had fired “Expert,” which was the highest award that could be earned. I was so excited I could hardly wait to tell my platoon sergeant. When I did, I thought he would congratulate me. Instead, he said, “You should have hit all of them.” Later, the thought came into my mind that if I was in combat one missed shot could have led to my death.
“Sin” is “missing the mark.” If you are rebelling against God, you are “missing the mark.” If you refuse to profess your sins to Jesus and invite Him into your life as your Lord and Savior, you are “missing the mark.” As a result, you are enslaved by sin, and sin leads to spiritual death.
God blessed Abraham because he was obedient to Him. If we obey God and remain faithful to Him God will also bless us. Abraham is known by Jews and Christians alike as the “founder of the faith.” I suggest you read the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22: 1-13.
DO YOU WANT TO BE A SLAVE OF SIN,
OR SEEK TO LIVE A LIFE THAT PLEASES GOD?
WHOM WE LIVE FOR WILL DETERMINE OUR ETERNAL DESTINATION.
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