“Jesus was saying to those Jews who had BELIEVED HIM, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know THE TRUTH, and the truth will MAKE YOU FREE.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and HAVE NEVER BEEN IN BONDAGE TO ANYONE; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin IS THE SLAVE OF SIN.” (John 8:31-34) First notice that Jesus is addressing Jews who believe on Him, secondly notice their response. “We have never been in bondage to anyone.”
When we look at the history of the Jews WILL, they have always been in bondage, because of their rebellion against God. As Jesus was having this conversation with them they were in bondage to Rome. Then notice what Jesus says about those who practice sin, “…everyone who practices sin is the SLAVE of sin (or in bondage to sin).”
Paul tells us in Romans 6, “…DO NOT let sin reign (rule) in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather OFFER YOURSELVES TO GOD as those who have been brought FROM DEATH TO LIFE; and offer every part of yourself to Him as an instrument of righteousness.” (Rom. 6:12-13) I think Paul makes this a little clearer in these verses, “Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever YOU CHOOSE TO OBEY? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but NOW YOU WHOLEHEARTEDLY OBEY this teaching we have given you. Now you are FREE from your slavery to sin, and you have become SLAVES TO RIGHTEOUS LIVING.” (Rom. 6:16-18)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham