Plenty of talk

There is no lack of words about supposed freedom in culture today. Many voices call for freedom and often leave me feeling confused. And, if it was not for God's restraining power, these same voices would drown out those who proclaim true freedom. The freedom which is everlasting. Freedom implies a prior enslavement, a prior subjection under an oppressive force. What is considered the most oppressive force in society and deemed to be the greatest cause of misery? What does popular culture point to (i.e., institutional racism, systemic sexism, disparities in wealth, climate change, Russia)? Do you agree? Freedom relating to the matters of today will benefit us a little. But the freedom freely given by the Son of God is unparalleled in this present world and it lasts forever. Freedom from what? Jesus spoke plainly concerning this matter, yet even his hearers sought to limit freedom to earthly matters. Here we will look at what Jesus had to say regarding true freedom in John 8:31-36, asking of ourselves the following questions: - Whose voice are you following? (Verses 31 & 32) - What illusion of freedom do you appeal to? (Verse 33) - Have you felt the greatest oppression? (Verse 34) - Do you have eternity in view? (Verse 35) - Do you long for the true freedom? (Verse 36)

notes

John 8:31-32

editing

NT

John 8:31-32

esv

So Jesus said

to the Jews

Destination

who had believed him,

“If you abide

Condition

in my word,

Context

you are truly my disciples,

Content

and you will know the truth,

Result #1

and the truth will set you free.”

Result #2

phrasing

Whose voice are you following?

True followers of Jesus know the truth. Truth in regards to what? For starters, the truth concerning the enslavement of all mankind. And then the necessity to know and to cling to the truth of the person and work of Jesus Christ, and thus be set free from this enslavement. But is this a common idea among professing Christians today? How about society as a whole? There is much talk of freedom, but the most oppressive power is overlooked. What a pitiful state those are in, those who are under the dominion of sin. Sin is the most oppressive power experienced, and by nature we refuse to truly acknowledge it. Sin's oppressive power blinds those who are subject to it, making them willing slaves. There is no greater systemic oppression of humanity than that brought about by sin. Many academics disseminate their speculations in regards to all sorts of alleged oppression (i.e., cisgender bias, heteronormativity, patriarchy) . They call out victims and oppressors alike for being blind to these supposed hierarchies and for being willing participators to maintain these hierarchies . But who can know the depths of the miseries caused by sin?

John 8:33

John 8:33

They answered him,

“We are offspring

Ground

of Abraham

Source

and have never been enslaved

Explanation

to anyone.

Advantage

How is it that you say,

Content #1

‘You will become free’?”

Content #2

What illusion of freedom do you appeal to?

By nature, being left alone by God to our own devices, we are steeped in ignorance. Blinded to the reality of our enslavement to sin, we would share in the skepticism of those who responded to Jesus here, questioning Jesus' promise of freedom. Questioning while still appealing to things that distract from spiritual blindness. Things that offer only the illusion of freedom. These actions prove a willingness to remain ignorant and to maintain the oppression caused by sin, all while rejecting God's testimony concerning what is destructive to us. Why? Can it be because there is momentary pleasure in serving sin? Is it because the sinner feels there is a benefit? Translate this reasoning to the same supposedly oppressive forces defined by society today, and how fast would zealous advocates for change recoil in scorn?

John 8:34

John 8:34

Jesus answered them,

“Truly, truly, I say

Content #1

to you,

everyone ... is a slave

Content #2

who practices sin

to sin.

Disadvantage

Have you felt the greatest oppression?

The first taste of the freedom the Son of God gives sinners is a sense of our hardship under sin, that we are in fact sinners. It is a freedom that comes by way of the words he speaks, the word of God: "everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin". Earthly matters readily serve as a distraction from the harsh spiritual reality. Jesus spoke frankly to those who heard him. He did not mince his words. Do you hear his words today?

John 8:35

John 8:35

The slave does not remain ... forever;

Negative

in the house

Locative

the son remains ... forever.

[in the house]

Do you have eternity in view?

The momentary nature of affairs here on earth is contrasted with the eternality offered by Jesus Christ. If the slave does not remain forever here on earth, then all that belongs to the slave will likewise perish. Be freed from all the oppressors you encounter in this life, and yet still be ruled by sin, it will only benefit you a short while as you neglect the next life. And such a short-lived freedom will seem like nothing as you enter into an eternity of enslavement. Hell is a place of enslavement, where God withdraws all restraint and sin fully reigns in the sinner as God's righteous anger against sin is poured out. Unless you turn to God for true freedom, you will be cast out. That is what it means to not remain in God's house, to no longer be a benefactor of his kindness, patience and forbearance. But the son remains forever. Phrasing Note: Who remains forever? Who is "the son"? Is this the eternal Son of God spoken of here? Or, is this the adopted son representative of the true believer? The meaning here can prove puzzling at first. As I understand, "the son" spoken of here refers to the believer. But let us not overlook the work of the eternal Son of God in making us co-heirs with him. He was faithful over God's house as a son (Hebrews 3:6). He has redeemed a people who were slaves under the law, who were slaves to sin. All so that such a people might receive adoption as sons (Galatians 4:5). Freedom results from his redemption. And as the Son of God remains forever, so will all those who he sets free. However, whatever difficulty here is not repeated in the following verse. For the truth that truly sets free is not any truth, but rather it is the truth of Jesus' words. The freedom in Verse 34 corresponds with that in Verse 36. pointing to the Son of God who truly sets free by means of the truth he speaks. Therefore, how much ought we to know and cling to his words?

John 8:36

John 8:36

if the Son sets you free,

So ... you will be free indeed.

Do you long for the true freedom?

Jesus draws an inference from his previous words, setting down the blueprint for true change in the individual. And that cause for change is found in one condition: "if the Son sets you free". Not "if gender equality sets you free"; not "if economic equality sets you free"; not "if a social policies for equity sets you free". To achieve true freedom it takes a power apart from yourself, apart from humanity, apart from all creation. Yes, it takes the power of the Creator himself: the Son of God. A longing for freedom is not inherently wrong. However, society's longing for freedom is set on the wrong things. At best it is a longing set on escaping the potential products of sin rather than the source. Such a wayward longing for freedom can serve as reason to accuse others while excusing oneself from the reality of sin's oppression. And the wrong agents for change are sought after, those people who are subject to the same captivity to sin. The Son of God not only frees a believing sinner from sin's cruel slavery, but he frees that same sinner to be adopted as a son. A more rewarding relationship is gained with the Father, one that exceeds all the supposed benefits offered by sin. May true freedom be given to you by the Son of God who conquered sin and death, and may it be made known to your soul.