In the face of evil unbelief and persistent opposition, Jesus spoke with tremendous assurance: ‘You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world... you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am He’ (23-24).
‘As He spoke thus, many believed in Him (30) - Jesus spoke with power and love. Responding to Him in faith, we are set ‘free’ (32,36; Romans 8:2; Galatians 5:1).
* To receive His freedom, we must recognize our need: ‘everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin’ (34).
* To grow in His freedom, we must ‘continue in His Word’ (31).
To religion without Christ (39,41), Jesus’ answer is emphatic: ‘You are of your father the devil... you do not hear God’s words because you are not of God’ (44,47).
‘I am’ (58; Exodus 3:14). God is in control - not men (59,20).
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