John 8:31-42.
Are we free or slaves? The Jews were confident in saying, “We are descendants
of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone.” But, Jesus said to them, “I
say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.” We don’t easily
understand that sin enslaves the sinner. Sin can give us pleasure, but it can
also enslave us. Often, we are so focused on the pleasure that goes with
sinning, but we fail to notice the hand of the evil one whose only wish is to bring
us harm. We don’t like to be controlled or forced by anyone. But that is what the devil
is doing to us by getting us into the habit of sinning. Jesus offers us a way
out: “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.”
