WEDNESDAY, FIFTH WEEK OF LENT- YEAR-B

I Reading: Daniel 3:14-20.24-25.28: He has sent his angel to rescue his servants.

Gospel: John 8:31-42: If the Son of Man makes you, you will be free indeed.

Man’s freedom from Sin is Conditional, Jn 8:31-32

Man is enslaved by sin and all the consequences of it. He cannot keep from sinning; therefore, he bears the consequences of sin: guilt, shame, hurt, pain, sorrow, suffering, destruction, devastation, brokenness, death and judgement. Man needs to be free from sin, set loose and his freedom from sin is conditional.

1.      the conditions: belief and abiding (v.31)

2.      the results: (v.32)

a.      will know the Truth

b.      will be made free

Man’s enslavement by sin, Jn 8:33-40

Man is enslaved by sin. He denies it; nevertheless, he is. Personal experience, greed, lust, selfish behaviour, and world history bear clear evidence. Any honest person can clearly see the evidence.

1.    Man’s denial (v.33)

a.    He claims a godly heritage

b.    He denies that he is enslaved to sin

2.    Proof 1: man commits sin (v.34-36)

a.    He is a slave to sin

b.    He is warned

1)    A slave is not free within a household

2)    The Son can make him free

3.    Proof 2: Man opposes and makes no room in his heart for Jesus’ Word (v.37)

4.    Proof 3: Man follows the wrong father, the devil (v.38)

5.    Proof 4: Man fails to do the works of Abraham (v.39-40)

a.    Abraham did not seek to kill the messengers of truth

b.    Abraham believed the truth

Thought: the true child of God is a person who does the things of the Lord.

1)    He hears and receives the truth

2)    He does not try to kill and eliminate the greater truth God has given to this earth, the truth of His own Son (1Jn 3:10-11; Jn 19:6).

www.believeinthegoodnews.blogspot.com