Freedom in Christ

5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.^(A) Stand firm,^(B) then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.^(C)

Life by the Spirit

¹³ You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.^(A) But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh^[a];^(B) rather, serve one another^(C) humbly in love. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”^{[b](D) 15} If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit,^(E) and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.^{(F) 17} For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.^(G) They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever^[c] you want.^{(H) 18} But if you are led by the Spirit,^(I) you are not under the law.^(J)

Dispute Over Whose Children Jesus’ Opponents Are

³¹ To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching,^(A) you are really my disciples. ³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”^(B)

³³ They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants^(C) 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.^{(D) 35} Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.^{(E) 36} So if the Son sets you free,^(F) you will be free indeed. ³⁷ I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me,^(G) because you have no room for my word. ³⁸ I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence,^(H) and you are doing what you have heard from your father.^[a]”^(I)

³⁹ “Abraham is our father,” they answered.

“If you were Abraham’s children,”^(J) said Jesus, “then you would^[b] do what Abraham did. ⁴⁰ As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me,^(K) a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God.^(L) Abraham did not do such things. ⁴¹ You are doing the works of your own father.”^(M)

“We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”^(N)

⁴² Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me,^(O) for I have come here from God.^(P) I have not come on my own;^(Q) God sent me.^{(R) 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,^(S) and you want to carry out your father’s desires.^(T) 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.^{(U) 45} Yet because I tell the truth,^(V) 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.^(W) The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”