The phrase “the truth will set you free” is one of those Bible phrases that you sometime hear people saying in speech. But like most Bible phrases in common speech, people generally don’t know what it means.
The interesting thing is that the people Jesus first said it to didn’t really understand what he was saying either. Or rather, they didn’t want to embrace the full meaning.
The problem is that if you are going to listen to Jesus’ words, you will need to lay down your pride and come to terms with who you really are as God sees you.
But when you do, you enter into the fullness of life that only Christ can bring.
These notes accompany a sermon on YouTube delivered at Bromborough Evangelical Church Wirral in June 2025. You can find more in the series in our sermon index.
Go to Jesus for freedom (30-38)
Last time we saw Jesus speaking at the Feast of Shelters (Booths, Tabernacles), calling himself the Light of the World. We ended with an encouraging word: Read John 8:30.
But Jesus isn’t interested in numbers of disciples: He wants those who follow him to understand what it will cost them. At the end of John 6 we read “From that moment many of his disciples turned back and no longer accompanied him” — after Jesus had given what many described as a hard teaching.
So here in chapter 8 he again test the belief of these disciples. He doesn’t want your interest: He demands your devotion. So read John 8:31-32.
The truth will set you free. But it soon becomes obvious that they refuse the truth about Jesus. Read John 8:33.
Historically, that would be a ridiculous claim. They’d been slaves to Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Persia, Greece, and even Rome. They knew all that, so they must have understood that Jesus was making a different kind of point. As the people of God, they would consider themselves ultimately to be his cherished possession, not slaves.
Slaves to sin
But his reply is shocking: Read John 8:34. Isn’t that a bit strong? A bit OTT?
Don’t you think, “I do sin, but I’m sure I could give it up any time I wanted to”?
That would reveal two things:
- Firstly, you don’t realise how enslaved you are – you’d sound like an addict kidding himself.
- Second, you admit that you don’t give it up because you don’t really want to. Everyone is born a slave to sin; you have a bias for sin.
Humanity was made to enjoy a perfect relationship with God. Sin has caused us all to have spiritual death, separated from him.
Some people have a short-term interest in Jesus. It’s a belief of sorts, simply because they believe certain things about him – but without actually putting trust in him personally. In that case, they’re still slaves to sin: That’s what Jesus was accusing these “believers” of here in John 8.
But knowing your own state is helpful: Then you can know where hope lies: Read John 8:35-38.
He makes it clear that if you would have freedom from the slavery of sin then you must be set free by the one who is not a slave: By Jesus, the Son of God. He acknowledges that they are descended from Abraham, but so what? It’s their rejection of Jesus’ word that will condemn them.
Salvation – freedom from sin – is found only when you go to Jesus yourself. Repent of your sin, ask his forgiveness, and come to know him personally in prayer. Then you’ll remain in his word (v31) and be his disciple forever.
Is faith freedom?
But someone might wonder, “Is living for Jesus, living as a Christian, really ‘freedom’, or is it slavery to religion?”
You were created to be with God and enjoy him. Fellowship with God, in his presence, is how things were in the beginning and how they’ll be at the end. Sin is like nailing a bird’s wing to the floor: It’s crippling.
Human flourishing is only fully realised in relationship with God. Separation from him is broken, unnatural slavery. When you become a Christian, you’re united to God by faith. You’re his child. Jesus is in you; you’re in him. You have union. He is your prize, your treasure. Eternally so, and no-one can take that from you. So you’re free: From crippling comparison with others; from the trap of idolatry and consumerism – who cares what brands you where, if your name is written in the book of life? Jesus gives freedom from shame and regret for the wrongs you have done: If he has forgiven you, you’re forgiven. He frees you from fear of death and illness, and even from the fear of loneliness or worthlessness.
The world will tell you to “be yourself.” But you need to know that that means “be a sinful rebel, bound for hell, a wandering sheep doing your own thing.” Because that is who you are, and all you can ever be, apart from Christ. He can set you free to live.
You’re a slave to sin, until the Son set you free.
But be crystal clear on this: You must go to Jesus yourself. No-one can pray on your behalf; go to Jesus for freedom.
You will still sin. No Christian is perfect in this life. But your desire will be to live for Christ. And the Holy Spirit of God in you will bring you a tension of wanting to do right even as you fight temptation to sin. That is an encouraging witness of the Spirit in you. And make sure that your focus in Christ, and live to please him (rather than focussing on the sin in your own strength).
Go to Jesus for Truth (39-47)
We say, like father, like son. There’s always some truth in it. But in Biblical language there’s a strength to the idea that we don’t quite have in our culture. Jesus goes on to distinguish between his Father and theirs. Read John 8:38.
In the verses that follow, they’re going to claim both Abraham and God as their father, but Jesus will tell them that their father is the devil himself.
Read John 8:39-40.
Claiming religious roots
They say Abraham is their father, but their conduct denies it. How? Abraham trusted God and believed him when he spoke. But these people didn’t trust what Jesus said, even though it was clearly teaching from God himself (as the miraculous signs proved).
Many people will claim to be Christian. Or even if not Christian, they might claim to be ‘spiritual’ and have a vague notion that they’ll be ok with God.
You can easily be more like those people in John 8 than you realise, with false claims to religious roots, based on your upbringing, family background, or culture. But does your lifestyle match your claim? Are you tied to the idolatry of belongings? Do you break the laws of God or country without too much trouble in your conscience? Is your language a bit crude or coarse when you’re with your work colleagues?
There are many people who would call themselves Christian but deny it by their lifestyle. It’s a challenge for us as a church to witness to such people, many of whom are regularly here at events.
Even someone who’s been a Christian for many years can fall into a trap a little like those people too. Their confidence was in their background, rather than in a living relationship with God. If you’ve been a Christian for a long time, make sure your assurance isn’t in your longevity or Bible knowledge, but always in your daily walk with Jesus.
So the people in John 8 appealed higher than Abraham: Read John 8:41.
Claiming to know God, but not Jesus
That’s a big claim. But they’re kidding themselves, and they can’t kid God in human flesh when he stands before them. Read John 8:42.
See that? It’s a test for you as much as for them. If you claim to be a Christian, then you claim God to be your father. If you claim that, then ask yourself whether you love Jesus or not.
Do you struggle to believe what others here believe? Do you wonder what they see that you don’t? Read John 8:43.
That’s a pretty damning statement. The facts behind it are terrifying: If you can’t understand truth from Jesus, it’s because you have been taken in by the devil’s lies.
- Read John 8:44. If that’s you, you’ll believe anything but the truth that is in Christ – because the devil is a liar, and he’s your ‘father’. And he’s convincing liar.
- Read John 8:45. You’re naturally not even able to hear Jesus’ truth if you’re locked under the devil’s lies.
So read John 8:46-47.
As long as you’re denying Jesus, you are of the devil. There’s no in between, no purgatory mid-way.
You don’t get it because you’re a slave to sin and trapped in a world of Satan’s lies. Jesus is your only hope, but you won’t go to him. Instead of being set free, you’re a slave to sin. And you’ll deceive yourself that you’re somehow ok, good enough for God overall.
The devil is a liar. Jesus is truth. Go to Jesus for freedom and truth.
Back to John 8:31-32 If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
Go to Jesus for eternal life (48-59)
The people there couldn’t refute what Jesus said, so they did what everyone does when they can’t argue a point: They attack the person. Read John 8:48.
But Jesus remains gracious, even pointing them to eternal life: Read John 8:49-51.
It matches his words in v31 about “if you continue in my word, you really are my disciples.” To keep his word is to see eternal life (v51). But their response is to mock him: Read John 8:52-53.
It’s possible to ask questions like this in a genuine attempt to find truth. Never be afraid to ask questions. It’s not automatically a bad thing; not automatically faithlessness or sin. If Jesus really is the truth he claims, then there will always be answers if we search deeply enough. And, just occasionally, the answer might be “you don’t need to know that”! But all that you do need to know for life and peace is revealed. Keep searching.
They asked him who he claimed to be. Read John 8:54-55.
The Father would glorify the Son, most spectacularly at the cross – which is not the kind of glory that most people seek. Such is how Jesus tests the true devotion of those who would call themselves disciples, Christians.
Your own attitude towards carrying your cross for Jesus tests your faith for genuineness. But Jesus is the real thing – more than they realised.
I am
Read John 8:56-59. That statement, “before Abraham was, I am” is shocking. If he were just saying he’s ancient he could have said, “before Abraham was, I was”. But by saying “I am” he’s using the Old Testament language of God’s self-revelation (esp. Isaiah 40-55). He’s claiming to be God, and they knew it. They didn’t believe it, so they picked up stones against this man they thought was committing terrible blasphemy.
But in truth he is God who came to his people to offer them (and you) eternal life. He is freedom, truth, and eternal life – and they picked up stones to stone him.
So what did he do? He walked away. The Lord of glory left the temple.
Liberating truth
If you continue in your unbelief, there may be a time when he walks away from you too. Today is the day for you to go to Jesus, and the truth will set you free. Because the knowledge that Jesus is God is liberating!
- He is your comfort and strength because he is the God who came down to save you.
- Jesus alone brings you freedom from sin and death.
- In Christ there is no condemnation for sin.
- There is no accusation from the devil while Jesus is your advocate in heaven.
- He alone brings you into the very life of God, union with himself, eternal life.
Jesus Christ was not just another wise man or religious ruler. He is God who came to save you.
John 8:31-32 If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
John 8:51 Truly I tell you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.
Go to Jesus for freedom, for truth, and for eternal life.