If you discovered that your beliefs were wrong, would you be willing to change them?
Tough question. And another:
If you discovered that Christianity were true, would you become a Christian?
The first question is a challenge to all of us. From time to time, we have all come face to face with evidence that demonstrated that some minor idea that we held, or a major belief that we have, just might be in error! But what happens when our CORE, fundamental values and beliefs are called into question? Are you willing to examine your most cherished and defended beliefs.
I’d like to believe that I’m objective enough to say yes. But I know myself well enough to know that I have built in defense mechanisms that keep me from changing my core beliefs easily. I can feel the tension! I understand the personal emotional pressure that comes when my beliefs are challenged.
That leads us to the second question: If you discovered that Christianity were true, would you become a Christian? Some people would not.
I have stared at doubting skeptics, and asked, “let’s say hypothetically, that it were true, would you believe,” and I’ve watched their eyes wander and their brains go to a place where they just can’t let them go. And you see the fight and flight instinct set in.
Here is the problem in a nutshell: Admitting that Christianity is true and that Jesus rose from the dead isn't a neutral, trivia-like fact. It creates a total upheaval of one's morality, lifestyle, identity, and relationships. If the perceived cost of changing one's life is too high, the mind will reject the truth to preserve it’s own safety and security.
People evaluate facts based on how those facts will impact their lives. When the personal, social, or emotional cost of belief is too high, the human mind will work overtime to reject or rationalize away the truth—even when faced with compelling evidence.
Changing a life long held belief may mean loss of family or community. Christianity could mean estrangement, or enduring public ridicule. Psychologically, the brain treats social exclusion with the same intensity as physical pain. When forced to choose between an abstract truth and concrete social survival, the subconscious mind will almost always choose survival by convincing itself that the evidence for the new belief "just isn't convincing enough."
It is much less painful to double down on skepticism and label a profound experience a "trick of the mind" than to admit one's entire life was built on a false hope.
When the cost of belief is too high, the human mind engages in a form of psychological self-defense. It shifts the burden of proof to an impossible standard so that it can safely conclude, "I would believe, but there just isn't enough evidence." In reality, the issue is not a lack of data, but a calculation that the truth is simply too expensive to afford.
That is what is going on in John chapter 8 in our study today.
We left off last week with Jesus in the Temple declaring that He is the Light of the World, and many Jews believed in Him. Now we are going to explore the path that the mind takes when it is confronted by the radical call by Jesus to receive Him as the Way, the Truth and the Life, as the great I AM.
Let’s begin with the Liberating Truth:
Liberating Truth
Liberating Truth results in Spiritual Transformation (Verses 31–38)
30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.
Let me just suggest, that the rest of the conversation in chapter 8 between Jesus and the people in the Temple was with this specific group of Jews who believed in him and had gathered around him to hear him speak. It’s important trace the conversation, because it went south quickly:
30 many believed in him.
31 Jesus is talking to the Jews who believed in Him. (so far, so good)
33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. (You can see they are getting a little defensive.)
39 Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.” (Now, the Jews who were once friendly have begun name calling! They are not so friendly any more.)
52 Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon! (This conversation has turned and is getting out of hand!)
59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him! (And in one short conversation, it went from acceptance to unbelief to hostility, just like that!) What a wonderful evangelist Jesus was! If you have ever had conversations about Jesus that went bad, you are in good company.
Now that we have seen the direction of the conversation when their core beliefs were challenged, let’s go back to verse 30 and 31, and take a deeper look at the faith of these Jews. It obviously didn’t run very deep. But it says that a number of Jews believed, and Jesus set out to have a conversation with those very Jews who believed.
Here’s what you can’t see in the English. The Greek phrasing used here (pisteuō) is in the dative case. That little detail is really important here. Because in this context, the dative case indicates a tentative, intellectual, or conditional belief rather than deep, life-transforming commitment. It’s like saying they believed Him rather than believed IN Him. Believing him (autō) denotes merely accepting His claims intellectually, whereas believing in (eis) denotes deep, relational, and saving trust.
Now that we’ve set the table, we understand why Jesus challenged these Jews, and we understand why the conversation went south. They were not convinced of the truth.
31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”
There are two statements in these two verses which are life transforming. Avoid them at your own peril, apply them to your great wellbeing.
#1 If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed
Jesus said this to the Jews who believed Him! They were nothing more than Jesus fans, and they needed to take their faith a step further. It is not enough to simply believe in Jesus, you must abide in His word. It is not enough to simply be named a Christian, you should step out and be His disciple!
If there were two steps every person should make it would be these: #1 Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved. #2 Abide in the Words of Jesus and you shall be transformed! Believe and Abide.
What do we mean when we say “Abide in My Word?” We will get into this deeper when we get to John 15 where Jesus says, “5 If you abide in Me, and my words abide in you, you will bear much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
μένω meno To abide in God’s Word is to faithfully, read, meditate on, internalize and live by what Jesus says. Abiding in Christ means allowing His Word to fill our minds, direct our wills, and transform our lives. You must let it soak into the mind and shape your life.
This is why you were saved. You were saved to become a disciple. To be a disciple, you must follow Jesus and live out his teachings.
That is the first life impacting statement of these verses; It prepares us for the second life transforming statement:
#2. you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
Once you become a disciple and you begin abiding in Christ and His Word, a transformation will occur. The truth that you learn becomes a truth that is internalized, and that is the truth that transforms us.
So it is essential that we come to know the truth. The word “Know” is γινώσκω ginosko which is an intimate experiential knowledge. Ginosko learning is quite different than book learning. For example, I can learn the classroom concepts about mechanics and pass all the written tests, but it is quite another thing to actually turn a wrench or live it out! I need experience! I need to put my learning into practice.
When that happens, then the truth brings about spiritual transformation! The truth will set you free!
The truth sets us free by breaking the spiritual bondage of sin and deception through the Holy Spirit’s power and living out the supernatural teachings of God’s Word. Let me share with you a few simple power steps you can take to let the Truth set you free.
1. Psalm 119:11 "Your word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee." Memorize and internalize God’s Word to have the truth set you free.
2. Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind..." "Transformation" (from the Greek metamorphoo, where we get metamorphosis) is a radical, permanent shift in identity and character, rather than just temporary behavior modification.
This transformation happens by shifting how you think—replacing old, natural destructive thought patterns with the truth and wisdom of God’s Word. Reject the world’s way and embrace God’s way.
3. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18: "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. as we look into God’s Word, we are "changed into the same image from glory to glory." Transformation happens when we internalize God’s Word, when we change our way of thinking, and when we allow God’s Spirit to work in our hearts.
We started our message with the truth, and we did it purposely, because only the truth transforms us into growing, godly, people. The errors that we refuse to give up also transform us, but they transform us for the worst and not for the better.
Lethal Error
Lethal Error results in Spiritual Bondage (Verses 33–47)
Verse 33 begins a conversation with the Jews which degenerated into a name calling match, because they did not want to give up their error. It left them with no other option but spiritual bondage.
Let me give you a summary of Jesus responses and the Jewish rejections: Jesus said, “The truth will set you free, the Jews answered, “we are already free men! We are in bondage to no one….”
But there are two main points I want to make about this whole discussion about the lethal nature of hanging on to error:
#1 If you practice sin, you are a slave of sin.
33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
#1 Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin
There are two types of people in the world: A) The unsaved, who are slaves to sin, B) the saved who are sons of God the Father. If you are a son of the most high, it is imperative that you Abide in His word and become his disciples so that the truth can set you free.
Practically speaking, a son lives a transformed life, and a slave lives a life of persistent sin. Ask yourself the question, which category do I fit in? Am I learning and growing and abiding and becoming like Jesus? Or am I persistently living a life of failure and sin. If you embrace error, even secretly, it will undermine your ability to become like Jesus. It just can’t be done. Your sins must be confessed. You must repent. And you must abide in Christ.
#2 Terrible things happen when you don’t follow the Word
37 “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. 38 I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father.”
If God’s Word has no place in you, no matter if you consider yourself a Christian, you won’t be victorious. You must make a place for God’s Word in your life.
#3 You know if you are a child of God if you live by God’s Word
39 They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.”
Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. 41 You do the deeds of your father.”
#4 If you do not follow Jesus, you are of your father the Devil.
Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.”
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”
This is a hard pill to swallow. But listen to this conversation between Jesus and the Jews and let it sink in.
It is so difficult for those who believe the lie to embrace the truth. That would mean admitting that I am wrong. It would mean admitting that my life has been a complete waste. That would mean that I have to contradict everything I have ever held dear. It would mean that I have to admit that I have been spiritually misguided and misled! That God is not my father, that I am not OK, that the devil has deceived me!
It is no wonder that there are not more who surrender to the truth of the Gospel. But it is better to believe the truth no matter how unsettling than to trust a lie no matter how appealing. Because the consequence for those who choose to disbelieve in Jesus is that they will be slaves to their sin their entire life long.
Lack of Faith
Lack of faith in Jesus' Deity results in Spiritual Collision (Verses 48–59)
In the last few verses, the Jews have abandoned any belief in Jesus. If He had not challenged their faith, they might have left Him alone. If He had affirmed their error, they might have applauded Him. But that is not the Jesus way. Jesus challenges every person who comes to Him. He knocks our complacency and false faith right off the shelf. And when that happened to the Jews they attacked him. It happened in four quick successive steps:
#1 They dishonored him: They called Jesus a Samaritan Demon
48 Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?”
49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. 50 And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges. 51 Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.”
#2 They Questioned His Character and his Claims: Asking “who do you think you are?”
52 Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’ 53 Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?”
54 Jesus answered, “If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God. 55 Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.”
#3 They Mocked Him and denied His deity.
57 Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?”
58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”
#4 They attempted to stone Jesus
59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
When Jesus claimed he was the Great I AM, he was making one of the most theological and dramatic declarations in the New Testament. Its significance lies in its unmistakable claim to eternal pre-existence and absolute divinity.
By using the phrase "I Am" (Ego Emi in Greek), Jesus was not merely speaking of his age; he was deliberately invoking the sacred, personal name of God.
In Exodus 3:14, when Moses asked God for His name, God replied, "I AM THAT I AM.” Jesus did not say, "Before Abraham was, I was." By using the present tense (I am), he claimed a state of eternal, timeless existence that transcends human history.
The crowd did not view his words as a metaphor or a confusing riddle; they recognized it as a direct claim to be Yahweh, the God of Israel.
this statement identifies Jesus himself as the ultimate anchor of that liberating truth. He is not just a teacher sharing good advice; he is claiming to be the eternal source of life and freedom.
Pilate asked, “what is truth?
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father apart from me.”
The truth is liberating, error is enslaving. If you want to be transformed, humbly submit your will to Jesus. Don’t let the arrogance of your intellect get in the way of eternal life. Embrace His Word. Abide in it. Get to know it intimately and Jesus will transform your life into something beautiful. You will begin to grow and mature in ways you never thought possible. All because you became a disciple.