In the gospel of John, Jesus is constantly confronted by antagonizers who are trying their hardest to catch him blaspheming. Jesus spent a long time telling groups of people that he is the light of the world and anyone who follows him will no longer walk in darkness. Then he told them, “If you abide in my word, you truly are my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).
They argued with Jesus, saying that they’re offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin” (vs. 34). He said that the slave doesn’t remain in the house forever, but the son does. Therefore, if he sets them free (from their sins), they are free indeed.
Jesus acknowledged that they were offspring of Abraham, “yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you” (vs. 37). They refused to abide in Jesus’ word, which is the truth. If fact, they couldn’t because his word finds no place in them. Until they accept the word of Jesus, there can be no truth. As long as there is no truth, they listen to the lies of Satan. But thank God that we have access to the word of Jesus. As long as we abide in it, we are his disciples and the truth sets us free from our sins!