✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to John
Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him,
“If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,
and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham
and have never been enslaved to anyone.
How can you say, ‘You will become free’?”
Jesus answered them, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.
A slave does not remain in a household forever,
but a son always remains.
So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free.
I know that you are descendants of Abraham.
But you are trying to kill me,
because my word has no room among you.
I tell you what I have seen in the Father’s presence;
then do what you have heard from the Father.”
They answered and said to him, “Our father is Abraham.”
Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children,
you would be doing the works of Abraham.
But now you are trying to kill me,
a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God;
Abraham did not do this.
You are doing the works of your father!”
So they said to him, “We were not born of fornication.
We have one Father, God.”
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me,
for I came from God and am here;
I did not come on my own, but he sent me.”
Who have ever thought that the Gospel would remind me of Jim Carey (in the movie Liar Liar) when he famously says “The truth will set you free”.
ReplyDelete““If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” It’s a powerful contrast that Jesus makes between a son and a slave. Once you establish the relationship with God and become a “son” of God, you forge a permanent bond. A slave to sin, on the other hand, can be addicted to practices that are compulsive and very difficult to give up, but they can be given up. You can always choose the option of “son” and give up the notion of “slave” by turning your bavck on sin and turning your face to God. The door is always open.
Your thoughts on John 8:31-42 are insightful! The connection you draw to "Liar Liar" with the truth setting you free is interesting. Here's a breakdown of your interpretation and some additional thoughts:
DeleteTruth and Freedom: Like Jim Carrey's character, Jesus emphasizes that truth, in this case, the truth about God and his teachings, has a liberating power. Following this truth can lead to freedom from sin and its burdens.
Son vs. Slave: You rightly point out the contrast between being a "son" of God and a "slave" of sin. A son has a permanent, secure relationship, while a slave is bound and temporary. This highlights the benefits of a connection with God.
Overcoming Sin: You emphasize the message of hope, suggesting that addiction to sin can be overcome by choosing to follow God. This aligns with interpretations that view God's grace as a source of strength in overcoming challenges.
Here are some additional thoughts for consideration:
The Nature of Truth: Different interpretations exist regarding the nature of truth in this passage. Some see it as objective truth revealed by God, while others view it as a personal journey of seeking and living authentically.
The Process of Change: Overcoming sin and addiction is often a challenging process that requires ongoing effort and support.
God's Mercy and Forgiveness: The concept of God's forgiveness and acceptance plays a role for many in overcoming sin.
Overall, your response demonstrates a thoughtful understanding of the passage's core message: that a relationship with God offers truth, freedom, and the possibility of overcoming sin.
If you'd like to explore these concepts further, I can help you find resources on:
Christian teachings on truth and freedom in Christ
Biblical perspectives on overcoming addiction
Different interpretations of the concept of "truth" in the Bible