Are You a Slave to Sin?

READ JOHN 8

In this chapter of John we see Jesus on the Mount of Olives as he argues with the Jews about sin, his testimony, their lack of faith and his deity.

It begins with Jesus as he goes to teach and the Pharisees bring an adulterous woman before him. It is a trap that they are hoping to set for Jesus but instead all he does is write in the dirt. What must it have been like to stand there as a Pharisee and be convicted by what Jesus was writing? What do you think he was writing? What would he write before you if you stood before him unsaved? What sins would he list?

Jesus says those without sin may stone her and begins writing again. Then we witness the true power of Jesus as he convicts sin in this world. All the Pharisees leave without condemning her. Jesus then begins to question the women and tells her that he will not condemn her either but to go and leave her life of sin.

In the end, he condemns no one. We learn that Jesus desires that we acknowledge our own sin and turn from it instead seeking to judge others for the sin in their lives. Do you do this? Have you even done it today?

How do you judge others for the sins they have committed? On what basis do you give yourself this authority? What sin is Jesus calling you to turn from and leave behind?

As we read further into this chapter we see that Jesus declares that he is the light of the world, argues with the Jews about his testimony, their death and his crucifixion and many come to believe in him.

This section begins with Jesus as he declares that he is the light of the world and that whoever follows him will have the light of life. These words are a bitter pill for many listening - especially the Pharisees. They argue and challenge his testimony... that his own witness is not valid. From this point on we see the witness of Jesus for God and the Jews lack of understanding based in their unbelief. Jesus reveals that God is always with him because he does what pleases God.

From this section Jesus reveals one of his most important truths. He is the light of the world and sin condemns all mankind not in possession of this light to death. Do you have the light of life within you? How has this light transformed you? How does it manifest in you and shine through to the rest of the world?

In the last section of John 8, Jesus argues with the Jews about their salvation - how it is not guaranteed through birthright but only through faith in him. He goes on to tell them that the truth will set them free but they are confused. Are you confused about your salvation? Are you relying on your family or your upbringing for a guarantee? Perhaps you were baptized at birth and you think that this will protect you from the condemnation of sin. The truth is revealed by Jesus in this passage. We are all slaves to sin who can only be set free by the son of God.

From this point onward the Jews become more argumentative with Jesus and he eventually rebukes them - they lack room for his word - they do not love him - their father is the devil - they do not belong to God - He knows their hearts.

Just as Jesus knew Abraham. Just as Jesus knew their hearts. Jesus knows our hearts. Only the truth offered by Jesus, the Son of God will set man free from the slavery of sin.

Are you still a slave to sin or have you found truth in Jesus as Savior and Lord in your life? As you grow in Christ, what sin do you need to lay at the foot of the cross and be free of to better glorify God?

Amen