John 8:33
They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”
Human nature was created by God, is corrupted by sin and can only be renewed and recreated through the grace of God...
John 8:33 “They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?"
You see, these people are caught up in the flesh, and cannot see the things of the Spirit. They are Abraham's descendants in the flesh, but are not Abraham's descendants in the Spirit.
Galatians 3:28-29 we read “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
You see, not those who have Abraham's flesh are his heirs, but those who believe.
Because the Jews had often been in political subjection to many nations (Egypt , Assyria, Babylon , Greece , Syria and Rome
" God’s promise to Abraham is not inherited by those who obey the law .... " Gal 3:15-18
To Abraham was given the promise that he should be ‘heir of the world’ (Rom_4:13)
The Promise Realized Through Faith
For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.
King James Study Bible:
- Jer. 34:8, 9: The Hebrew laws concerning slavery and the liberation of slaves (Ex. 21:1–11; Lev. 25:39–55; Deut. 15:1, 12–18) had apparently not been kept in force. Zedekiah’s proclamation went beyond...
- Introduction to the Gospel According to John Introduction to the Gospel According to John
- John 5:1: Jerusalem: Previously Jesus had dealt primarily with individuals. Now He confronts the Jewish leaders. John 5:1—10:42 reveals the rising controversy and the opposition that finally resulted...
- John 8:30–36: Jesus identifies the true disciples as those who (1) believed in Him (v. 30); (2) continued in His word (v. 31), unlike the Jews in verses 37, 43, 47; (3) will be freed from sin by the...
- 2 Cor. 11:14: Angel of light: The passage calls to mind the culmination of our Lord’s discussion with the Pharisees in John 8. The specific allusion Paul makes is not clear. Perhaps it is to Job 1:6.
" God’s promise to Abraham is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is Abraham’s seed..." Gal 3:16
John 8
V 1–11: HYPOCRISY HIT The scribes and Pharisees bring Jesus a woman caught in the act of adultery and say that she should be stoned. Jesus simply advises that the person without sin should cast the first stone. The crowd melt away. Jesus then tells the woman to stop sinning. V 12–18: TELLING TESTIMONY Jesus claims to be the Light of the world. Those following Him shall walk in ‘the light of life’. He is told that He cannot testify of Himself. Jesus replies that He knows His origin and destiny and that, as His Father testifies of Him also, His witness is corroborated. V 19–30: CRUCIAL COMPREHENSION This statement produces various discussions about the relationship between Jesus as God the Son, who is the Son of Man on earth, and the first Person of the Trinity, God the Father. Jesus says He is going away to His Father after He has been killed. The innuendo from the opponents is that Jesus is illegitimate. Jesus says all His teaching comes from the Father, and that the Father is with Him. He always pleases the Father. This causes many to believe in Him. V 31–36 SIN’S SLAVERY Jesus teaches that abiding in the truth of His word brings freedom to those who, by so doing, have become His disciples. Freedom does not come from natural descent from Abraham, because sin makes slaves of us all. Only Jesus can liberate from that basic slavery, and clearly He uses His word to achieve that. V 37–44 FIENDISH FATHER Jesus shows that the desire of those claiming Abraham as their father to kill Him demonstrates that their real father is the devil. That is also why they believe lies. Their fiendish father is a murderer and a liar. If they really had God as their Father they would not infer that Jesus was illegitimate. They would recognise the truth that He is God’s Son and not seek to kill Him. V 45–47 TRUTH TEST Those who really belong to God listen to His words, which are the truth. Those who do not belong to God have no desire to hear His words. This is a key test of whether someone knows God. V 48–59 ETERNALLY EXISTENT Jesus refutes their false and cynical accusation that He is possessed by a demon. He always follows His Father and seeks His glory. Those who keep His word have eternal life. To show that His eternal existence predated Abraham’s life He says, ‘Before Abraham was, I AM.’ (‘I AM’ is an Old Testament title of God.) Jesus passes through them, unharmed, despite their attempt to stone Him to death for blasphemy. Jesus is not just a prophet but the eternal Son of God.
" Abraham is the father of those who are justified by faith..." Gal 3:6-9
- 2426 gospel, responses to: The gospel cannot be subscribed to half-heartedly or in part; it must be either accepted or rejected.
- 5020 human nature: Human nature was created by God, is corrupted by sin and can only be renewed and recreated through the grace of God. Redemption was achieved by Jesus Christ taking upon himself sinful human nature on the cross, so delivering from the power and penalty of sin.
- 5078 Abraham, significance of: Whereas Jews see Abraham as the father of their nation on account of God’s covenant with him, Christians see Abraham as the father of all who believe in Jesus Christ.
- 5246 captivity: The state of individuals, communities or nations held in bondage by a foreign power. Such captivity may be punishment from God who, nevertheless, hears the cry of his captive people. God will punish those who, in their arrogance, take others captive. The term is sometimes used metaphorically of the bondage of sin. Jesus Christ alone can free people from such a state.
- 5724 offspring: Literally, physical descendants, and figuratively, the recipients of a spiritual inheritance.
- 5942 security: Guaranteed safety, whether natural or spiritual, from danger or loss. Scripture stresses that ultimate security is to be found only in God himself.
- 5943 self-deception: The state of individuals or nations who do not face up to their sin, their spiritual state or their future with any realism. It also describes those who presume upon their relationship with God or their own ability, or who have a misplaced trust in idols.
- 6610 adoption, descriptions of: The words used by the NT to describe believers point to their status and privileges as the adopted children of God.
- 6660 freedom, through Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ, the promised deliverer, sets his people free from the present effects of sin and from the power of sin and will finally deliver them completely from its presence.
- 6662 freedom, abuse of Christian: Although Christians have been set free from condemnation by grace, they remain under an obligation to be obedient to God. Abuses of Christian freedom result from a failure to take responsibilities towards God seriously.
- 6745 sanctification, nature and basis of: The process of renewal and consecration by which believers are made holy through the work of the Holy Spirit. Sanctification is the consequence of justification and is dependent upon a person being in a right relationship with God.
- 7024 church, nature and foundations of: The church is the people called by God, who are united by their faith in Christ and by their common life in him. Various descriptions and metaphors emphasise the continuity between the people of God in the OT and NT.
- 7449 slavery, spiritual: Because of sin humanity is in a state of slavery. On account of the atoning work of Jesus Christ, believers can break free from slavery to sin and enter into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
- 8032 trust, lack of: Forsaking God and relying on other objects of dependence. This is futile and it provokes God’s anger. Failure to trust others may be the result of a betrayal of trust in the past.
- 8804 pride, examples of: Scripture illustrates the many different ways in which pride manifests itself.
" Abraham’s obedience to God shows that faith must lead to good works..." Jas 2:20-24
Christ has a few true disciples on earth, because few are willing to be discipl(in)ed by the One He sent (to lead them into all truth.)
☆ If you really want to experience God, go and make disciples☆
☆ If you really want to experience God, go and make disciples☆
