In John 8, Jesus expands on what it means to be spiritually reborn and set free:
Believing in Jesus as the Christ
In John 8:12, Jesus says:
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
This means that being "born again" starts with believing in Jesus as the Christ, the One sent by the Father to bring light into the world.
Keeping Jesus' Teachings Within Us
Jesus explains in John 8:31-32:
"If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
To be born again means to keep His words within us, as the "holy seed" (God’s Word) takes root and grows. This aligns with 1 John 3:9, where John says that "God’s seed abides" in those born of Him, enabling them to live in righteousness.
Freedom from Sin Through the Truth
Jesus then makes a profound statement in John 8:34-36:
"Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
This means that true freedom from sin comes from knowing the truth in Christ—not just intellectual knowledge, but a deep, transformative relationship with Him.
Practicing Righteousness, Not Sin
John later emphasizes in 1 John 3:9:
"No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him."
Those who are born again no longer live in habitual sin because the truth of Jesus and the Holy Spirit transforms them from within.
