NOTES for Joh 8:31-42
Jesus speaks about slavery to sin and freedom from it. The phrase, “...everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin,” completely sweeps aside arguments like the claim of someone who smokes or drinks that they can quit at any moment. Yes, one can stop sinning, but once anyone commits a sin, they become its slave, and breaking free is not so easy. Only the Son can make us free and help us stop. By remaining in His word and knowing the truth, we become His disciples.
It is striking how Jesus emphasizes His role in liberation. If a master sets a slave free (and an evil master will never do so of his own accord), the slave is left in the street, perhaps without means of support or a roof over his head, and anyone can enslave him again in his weakness (see Matt. 12:43-45). To gain true freedom, we need Someone who will redeem us from the evil master and bring us into His Father’s house. Redeemed by His blood, we cease to be slaves and become sons, but this requires our consent and our desire to draw near to the Son. Then Jesus will share His dwelling places with us (see John 14:2).