“Truth or Consequences”

John 8:31-47, {31} To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. {32} Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” {33} They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” {34} Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. {35} Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. {36} So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. {37} I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. {38} I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.” {39} “Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did. {40} As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. {41} You are doing the works of your own father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.” {42} Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. {43} Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. {44} You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. {45} Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! {46} Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? {47} Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”