Title: Restoration from bondage/John 8:31-36
Content Restoration from bondage/John 8:31-36
1. A life captured by the power of the bondage of sin: verses 31-32
There is a baseball player who has great pitching ability. This man has the ability to throw a fastball and a big drop curve to become a world-class player. However, if your arms are tied, you will not be able to fully use your abilities. Likewise, if our lives are tied to something, we cannot properly use the power God has given us. Bondage is a force that binds God-given powers and prevents us from using them properly. Also, bondage is a very negative force that binds the blessings God has given us and prevents us from enjoying the blessings we deserve.
Jesus said, “Everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.” A servant is a slave (doulos). In other words, we are living in the grip of the bondage power of sin, unable to use the precious power God has given us and not enjoy the blessings properly.
God feels sorry for the people who are captivated by the power of bondage and cannot fully enjoy the power and happiness God has given them. However, it is not only those who do not believe in Jesus who are bound by something. Even among those who believe in Jesus, there are many people who are bound by something and cannot use the precious power God has given to them properly and cannot enjoy the happiness God has given them. That is why Jesus said that the truth will set you free, not to those who do not believe in him, but to those who believe in him (verse 31).
2. Acknowledging bondage is the first step to freedom: v. 33
In order to break free from the bondage that prevents us from exercising the power God has given us and preventing us from fully enjoying the blessings, we must first admit that we are bound by the power of bondage. You cannot be freed from bondage unless you acknowledge that you are in bondage. However, it is difficult to admit to being in bondage. It is easy to admit that others are in bondage. However, it is very difficult to admit to yourself that you are in bondage.
Jesus told the Jews, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” As soon as the people heard that, they immediately said, “We are Abraham's descendants. When have we ever lived as slaves?” They denied the fact that they were in bondage (verse 33). The Israelites, however, lived as slaves in Egypt and as vassal states of Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Greece. And now it is occupied by Rome and lives as a vassal state. Nevertheless, they frankly denied it, saying, “As Abraham’s descendants, we have never become slaves to anyone.” In this way, human beings persist until the end without acknowledging that they are in bondage.
The reason people fail to acknowledge that they are in bondage is because of “narrow pride in themselves.” As a result, he can't honestly admit that he's in bondage. However, in order to break free from the forces of bondage that bind God-given power and blessings, I must admit that I am living in the grip of the power of sin and failing to fully enjoy the tremendous power and blessings God has given me. That is the first step to freedom from the bondage that is the power of sin. It doesn't end with just knowing that I'm a life with a part of me in bondage. Under the illumination of the Holy Spirit, we must actively acknowledge our life in bondage to ourselves and to God. It's really important to acknowledge and not just know with your head. For the truth sets us free when we positively acknowledge our bondage.
3. Acknowledge your inability to break free from bondage and focus on Jesus: verse 36
We cannot free ourselves from bondage in our own strength and will. It is only through the liberty of the Son, Jesus Christ, that we are freed from the power of bondage (verse 36). In other words, when we focus on “Jesus on the cross” and “Jesus resurrected”, who are the powers and saviors who set us free, we become free. If you put up with yourself, try to overcome it, and focus on yourself, nothing will come of strength or ability. Therefore, instead of focusing on yourself, you should focus on “Jesus on the cross”, “Jesus who is resurrected” after defeating the forces of death. Then, miraculously, you receive refreshment from Jesus. If we focus on Jesus, we will be constantly supplied with the new strength that Jesus gives us, the patience that Jesus gives us, the power that Jesus gives us, and the amazing grace that Jesus gives us, and we will be set free from the forces of bondage (verse 36).
4. When you enjoy being children of God, you will be completely freed from the power of bondage.
Finally, when we enjoy being children of God through Jesus Christ, we are completely freed from the power of bondage. God has made us children of God through His Son Jesus Christ. A servant cannot dwell in the house of God forever. just working. But the children live and enjoy their father's house (verses 35-36).
Jesus changed us from being slaves to being children of God. As a result, we can enjoy being children of God in Jesus Christ. As a child of God, we are freed from the power of bondage to the extent that we enjoy living in God's house. And we can enjoy the abundant grace and blessings of God in our lives.
question and share
◎ Let's share the bondage that prevents us from enjoying God's power and blessings in our individual lives and family clothes.
◎ First, let's honestly admit that we are in bondage before ourselves and God. And let's pray earnestly before God to release us from that bondage.
◎ We are not servants, but children of God. Let's become this week, proclaiming the authority of God's children in our lives and enjoying God's power, peace, and blessings.