The Truth Will Set You Free (JHN 8:31-47)

[8:31] So Jesus said to those who believed in him, “If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples;

[8:32] you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

[8:33] “We are the descendants of Abraham,” they answered, “and we have never been anybody's slaves. What do you mean, then, by saying, ‘You will be free’?”

[8:34] Jesus said to them, “I am telling you the truth: everyone who sins is a slave of sin.

[8:35] A slave does not belong to a family permanently, but a son belongs there forever.

[8:36] If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free.

[8:37] I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are trying to kill me, because you will not accept my teaching.

[8:38] I talk about what my Father has shown me, but you do what your father has told you.”

[8:39] They answered him, “Our father is Abraham.” “If you really were Abraham's children,” Jesus replied, “you would do the same things that he did.

[8:40] All I have ever done is to tell you the truth I heard from God, yet you are trying to kill me. Abraham did nothing like this!

[8:41] You are doing what your father did.” “God himself is the only Father we have,” they answered, “and we are his true children.”

[8:42] Jesus said to them, “If God really were your Father, you would love me, because I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own authority, but he sent me.

[8:43] Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to listen to my message.

[8:44] You are the children of your father, the Devil, and you want to follow your father's desires. From the very beginning he was a murderer and has never been on the side of truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he is only doing what is natural to him, because he is a liar and the father of all lies.

[8:45] But I tell the truth, and that is why you do not believe me.

[8:46] Which one of you can prove that I am guilty of sin? If I tell the truth, then why do you not believe me?

[8:47] He who comes from God listens to God's words. You, however, are not from God, and that is why you will not listen.”