Our modern world promotes the false idea that freedom means determining who we are and what our purpose is. In John 8:31–36, Jesus offers a different and better vision.

A Freedom through Following

In verses 31–32, Jesus teaches that true freedom comes from not only hearing and accepting His Word but also living in light of it. As we walk in His ways, we come to know the truth experientially and discover that this is the freest way of life imaginable.

Being a follower means you have a leader, implying obedience; freedom comes through subjection. If you want to be free to live a healthy life, there are certain constraints you must accept: you cannot be free to eat whatever you want. If you want to enter freely into deep friendships, you cannot be free to neglect those relationships and constantly put yourself first. In the same way, following Jesus will constrain your choices. But this is the way to true freedom: not forging your own path but following His way.

A Freedom from Sin and Self

In verses 33–34, Jesus teaches that true freedom is freedom from sin and self. This is the biggest problem we need freedom from. In culture today, people blame their bondage on their society, their family, their church, or other outside influences getting in the way. But the biggest threat to our freedom actually comes from the inside: slavery to sin.

Sin is selfishness. Satan uses this inward selfishness to enslave us, keeping us in rebellion against God. It may be thrilling at first, but it turns into despair. Sin also strangles love. This is why our God of love must destroy it. He will not bless your sin because He will not bless your slavery.

A Freedom for the Family of God

In verse 35, God calls us His children. A lot of people view the Christian life as doing enough good things to pay God off or make sure our afterlife is secured. But God is not a taskmaster; He’s a Father. When we are saved, we are adopted into His family.

However, this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do good. True freedom is not just freedom from, it’s freedom for. In Exodus, God said, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.” True freedom isn’t about doing whatever we want; it’s about wanting what’s good, orienting our lives in that direction, and choosing the right constraints as we walk in the freedom Jesus supplied.

Free Indeed

In verse 36, Jesus says that if the Son sets us free, we will be free indeed. The way Jesus supplied our freedom was through setting aside His own rights — being bound and nailed to a cross. We are completely unworthy of this love! Jesus accepted shackles so that He might break ours. Through His cross, we have the freedom to become who He made us to be. Let’s embrace that freedom today!