Go! And Live in the Freedom of Truth - John 8:31-32
Introduction:
Today we gather to delve into the profound words of our Lord Jesus Christ as recorded in John 8:31-32 (NLT):
"Jesus said to the people who believed in him, 'You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'"
These verses encapsulate a transformative promise: abiding in Jesus' teachings leads us to truth, and this truth grants us freedom. But what does it mean to remain faithful to His teachings? How does knowing the truth liberate us?
Today, we will explore three pivotal truths:
Abiding in Christ's Word Defines True Discipleship
Knowing the Truth Transforms Our Lives
The Truth of Christ Grants Genuine Freedom
May the Holy Spirit illuminate our hearts as we journey through these divine truths.
1. Abiding in Christ's Word Defines True Discipleship
Jesus addresses those who believed in Him, emphasizing that genuine discipleship is evidenced by steadfastness in His teachings. The Greek term for "remain" is µ??? (meno), meaning to stay, abide, or continue. This denotes an ongoing, active engagement with His Word.
John 15:5-7 (NLT): "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!"
Here, "remain" (µ???) illustrates the vital connection between the believer and Christ. Just as branches draw life from the vine, we must draw spiritual sustenance from Jesus. Abiding in Him results in a fruitful life, reflecting His character and will.
Psalm 1:1-3 (NLT): "Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do."
The psalmist portrays the blessedness of those who immerse themselves in God's Word. Continuous meditation on Scripture anchors us, making us resilient and prosperous in our spiritual journey.
Consider a sponge submerged in water. It doesn't merely touch the water's surface but absorbs it fully. Similarly, true disciples don't merely skim through Jesus' teachings but absorb and live them out.
A.W. Tozer once said, "The reason why many are still troubled, still seeking, still making little forward progress is because they haven't yet come to the end of themselves. We're still trying to give orders, and interfering with God's work within us."
Ah, yes! That powerful quote from A.W. Tozer strikes right at the heart of the spiritual struggle so many believers face today.
Church, let’s be honest: most of us don’t mind Jesus being our Saviour—we rejoice in His grace, His forgiveness, His mercy. But when it comes to letting Him be Lord, when it comes to surrendering control, that’s where the battle begins.
Tozer's words are a mirror. They show us that as long as self is on the throne, we will never experience the fullness of what God desires to do in us or through us. We will be troubled. We will be restless. We will make little progress, not because God is absent, but because we are in the way.
That’s why Jesus said:
“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” — Luke 9:23 (NLT)
You see, spiritual maturity is not about adding more knowledge, or even more ministry. It’s about losing more of ourselves so that Christ might live in us more fully. Paul got it when he said:
“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” — Galatians 2:20 (NLT)
Tozer reminds us that we often try to manage God rather than submit to Him. We interfere with His sanctifying work because we want the blessing without the breaking, the crown without the cross, the transformation without the surrender.
But God cannot fill a heart that is already full of self.
Imagine a sculptor trying to shape a block of stone, but every time he lifts his chisel, the stone moves. That’s how some of us are with God—we keep wriggling off the altar, we keep questioning His process, we keep holding on to our own blueprints for life. And then we wonder why we don’t look like Jesus.
Church, if we want peace instead of trouble… if we want purpose instead of wandering… if we want progress instead of stagnation… we must come to the end of ourselves. We must throw up our hands, not in defeat, but in surrender.
Let God be God.
As Tozer so rightly saw, the path to peace is paved with brokenness and surrender. When we stop giving orders, God starts building something beautiful.
Consider the words of Jesus in John 15:8 (NLT): “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.”
But fruit doesn’t come unless we abide… unless we surrender.
So friend, come to the end of yourself—and find that it’s the beginning of life, true life, in Christ.
2. Knowing the Truth Transforms Our Lives
Jesus promises that abiding in His Word leads to knowing the truth. The Greek word for "know" is ????s?? (ginosko), indicating a deep, experiential understanding, not merely intellectual assent.
Proverbs 2:3-6 (NLT): "Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding."
Pursuing divine wisdom requires earnest effort. As we diligently seek God's truth, He imparts understanding, leading to a transformed perspective and life.
Romans 12:2 (NLT): "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
Embracing God's truth renews our minds, enabling us to discern and align with His perfect will, resulting in a life that reflects His glory.
Imagine a caterpillar undergoing metamorphosis. Through the transformative process, it emerges as a butterfly. Likewise, embracing God's truth metamorphoses us into His likeness.
Tim Keller noted, "Satan doesn’t control us with fang marks on the flesh but with lies in the heart... Our best defense in the fight against [his] lies is not the production of incantations but the rehearsal of truth."
That’s not just a quotable phrase, that’s biblical wisdom wrapped in clarity and conviction.
Tim Keller hits the nail squarely on the head. The enemy of our souls is not prowling with visible fangs and claws—but with invisible deceptions, with subtle distortions, with whispers that challenge what God has said. From the very beginning, in the Garden of Eden, Satan’s strategy was never brute force—it was deceit.
In John 8:44 (NLT), Jesus said of the devil: “He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
How does Satan control? By planting lies in our hearts—lies about our identity, our worth, our purpose. Lies that twist God’s truth. Lies that say, “God doesn’t really love you,” or “You’re too far gone,” or “Freedom is found in sin.” These are the weapons of our adversary. Not fang marks—but falsehoods.
But here’s the glorious truth: our victory is not found in mystical phrases or religious rituals—it’s found in the powerful, liberating truth of God’s Word.
That’s why Jesus said in John 8:31–32 (NLT): “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Freedom is found not in fighting the devil with emotional willpower or shouting louder than the storm—but in abiding in Christ and rehearsing His truth until it becomes the soundtrack of our souls.
The apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 10:4–5 (NLT): “We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.”
That’s the spiritual battleground: the mind and the heart. And our weapons are truth, Scripture, prayer, and a life surrendered to Jesus.
So, what should we do? Rehearse the truth. Not occasionally. Not when things get tough. But daily. Constantly. Intentionally.
Rehearse who God is.
Rehearse what He’s done.
Rehearse who you are in Christ.
Rehearse the promises of God that no lie of the enemy can undo.
Remember the lies of the enemy lose power the moment you shine the light of God’s Word on them. Truth doesn’t just resist lies—it evicts them.
Don’t fight darkness with superstition. Fight it with Scripture. Don’t try to drown the lies with noise. Drown them with the truth of God.
Go! And rehearse the truth. Daily. Diligently. Devotedly. For in truth, you are free.
3. The Truth of Christ Grants Genuine Freedom
The culmination of abiding in Jesus' teachings and knowing the truth is freedom. The Greek word for "set free" is ??e??e??? (eleutheroo), meaning to liberate from bondage.
Romans 6:22 (NLT): "But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life."
Through Christ, we are emancipated from sin's dominion, enabling us to pursue holiness and embrace the gift of eternal life.
Galatians 5:1 (NLT): "So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law."
Christ's sacrifice grants us freedom, urging us to stand firm and resist reverting to legalistic bondage.
Picture a prisoner released from captivity, stepping into the sunlight for the first time in years. The shackles are gone, and a new life awaits. This is the freedom Christ offers—deliverance from sin's captivity into the liberty of His grace.
F.F. Bruce insightfully declared, "To be united to Christ by faith is to throw off the thraldom of hostile powers, to enjoy perfect freedom, to gain the mastery over the dominion of evil—because Christ's victory is ours."
Church, what a glorious truth this is! When we are united with Christ by faith, we are no longer enslaved. The chains of sin, the grip of darkness, the tyranny of guilt, shame, and fear—they are broken by the power of the risen Christ!
That word thraldom—it’s an old term, but deeply meaningful. It speaks of absolute bondage, a cruel and oppressive captivity. And make no mistake, outside of Christ, that’s exactly where we are. Under the dominion of sin, ruled by the prince of the power of the air, helpless to rescue ourselves.
But Colossians 1:13 (NLT) declares: “For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son.”
This is not theoretical freedom. This is real, blood-bought, chain-breaking liberty! When we are united to Christ, His victory becomes our victory. His triumph over sin and death becomes our daily strength to overcome temptation, to walk in righteousness, and to live as children of light.
Romans 6:14 (NLT) affirms this: “Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.”
So, when Bruce says “Christ’s victory is ours,” he’s reminding us that this isn’t a distant hope—it’s a present reality. As believers, we don’t fight for victory—we fight from victory! Jesus, our Champion, has already won.
Let me encourage you today: if you feel overwhelmed, if you feel the pull of temptation or the weight of oppression—look to Jesus. Stand in His victory. Remain in His Word. Because in Christ, you are no longer a prisoner—you are more than a conqueror!
As the Apostle Paul triumphantly wrote in Romans 8:37 (NLT): “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.”
So go—live in that freedom, walk in that authority, and rejoice in the victory that is already yours in Jesus!
Conclusion & Call to Action
Beloved, we've uncovered that:
Abiding in Christ's Word defines true discipleship.
Knowing the truth transforms our lives.
The truth of Christ grants genuine freedom.
The pressing question is: Are you living in that freedom?
Jesus’ words in John 8:31–32 are not a casual statement. They are a call to action. A call to remain, to know, and to live in the freedom that only He can give. This freedom is not political, social, or temporary—it is spiritual, eternal, and soul-deep.
Too many people today are bound—by fear, by guilt, by addiction, by anxiety, by the lies of the enemy. They may attend church, they may know the name of Jesus, but they’re not abiding in Him. They haven’t surrendered to the truth that sets them free.
Jesus is not looking for casual believers—He is calling for committed disciples. Disciples who will remain in His Word. Disciples who will pursue truth. Disciples who will live free, and lead others to that same freedom.
“You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” — John 8:31–32 (NLT)
Go! And Live in the Freedom of Truth
So here is the challenge, the invitation, the mission:
Go! And live in the freedom of truth.
Go! And be a disciple who remains in Christ’s Word.
Go! And walk in the liberating power of the Gospel.
Go! And share this freedom with a world still in chains.
The world needs to see free people. People not shackled by sin, fear, or shame, but people joyfully surrendered to Christ, grounded in His truth, and walking in the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Invitation to Faith in Jesus
Perhaps you’re here today and you’ve never experienced that freedom for yourself. Maybe you’ve heard the truth about Jesus, but you’ve never truly remained in His Word. You’ve never surrendered your heart, your life, your will to Him.
Let me tell you the truth that sets you free:
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to this world to rescue sinners.
He lived a perfect, sinless life.
He died on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for your sins and mine.
He rose from the grave, conquering sin, death, and hell.
And He offers you freedom—not based on your works, but on His finished work.
Romans 10:9 (NLT) says: “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Today, you can receive that truth. Today, you can be set free.
If you’re ready to accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, I invite you to pray something like this from your heart:
Lord Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You died for my sins and rose again to give me life. I confess that I need You. I turn from my sin and place my trust in You. Make me new. Help me to remain in Your Word, to know Your truth, and to live in Your freedom. In Your name, I pray, amen.
If you prayed that with sincerity, welcome to the family of God! You are now free in Christ. And whom the Son sets free is free indeed.
Closing Blessing:
May you go out today not just as hearers of the Word, but as doers—disciples who abide, know, and walk free. Go! And live in the freedom of truth. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
