When Jesus explained to the crowd that followed Him that “the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32), they were astounded.  They answered him, “We be Abraham’s seed (Jews), and were never in bondage to any man:  how sayest thou, ‘Ye shall be made free?’” (John 8:33)  Jesus, though, was not talking about physical slavery.  Jesus answered them, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” (John 8:34)

What is sin?  “Sin is the transgression of [God’s] law.” (I John 3:4) -- whether it be things that you have done or things that you should have done.  There are sins of the body and sins of the spirit, and these offend God.  They make you God's enemy.  

Who sins?  The Bible says that ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.   Romans 3:23

They are corrupt, they have done abominable works… they are all together become filthy:  there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Psalm 14:1,3

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6

Sin has power!  As a sinner, you are Satan’s tool.  Ye walk...according to the course of this world (you do what everyone else is doing), according to the prince of the power of the air, (that is the devil, who is) the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience...in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and…    Ephesians 2:2,3

Sin also has a penalty!

...were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. Ephesians 2:3

By one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Romans 5:12

What does God think of all of this sin?  Does His love ignore it?  excuse it?  He thinks it is disgusting!  One day it will all be dealt with.  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.  This is the second death.  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.  Revelation 20:14,15

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. II Thessalonians 1:8,9

The punishment for sin is an eternal life sentence without parole.  There are no exceptions.  Sin must be punished, because it violates a holy God.

If the story ended there, we would all be damned!

Yet, this is where God's love stepped in.  Yes, He is a God of love.  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.  I John 4:9

The Son of God left His holy throne in heaven, took on the body of a man, that He might show us what holiness looks like, who the Father is and what He requires, seek and save that which was lost, confront the evils of this world, and to subdue the enemy.  The power of the devil and sin must be destroyed.  He offered Himself as the sacrifice for sin.

He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes (wounds) we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

BELIEVE.  Believe what?  What Christ said:  "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3  "Except ye repent, ye shall all...perish." (Luke 13:3,5)  "I am the way, the truth, and the life:  no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)  

Believe what Christ did.  Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.  Colossians 2:13-15

Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him to glory and dominion for ever and ever.  Amen. Revelation 1:5,6

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life -- a free pardon from the penalty of sin.  God is satisfied, for we are washed from our sins and presented to Him spotless. ...and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:36

When you fall at His feet in repentance, asking for His mercy, Christ will save you also from the power of sin.  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.  For he that is dead is freed from sin.  Romans 6:6,7

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness:  by whose stripes (his wounds and beatings) ye were healed.  I Peter 2:24

[The Lord] hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.   Isaiah 61:1

Christ’s gift of righteousness can never be earned through any type of human effort.

Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Romans 4:4,5

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.  Ephesians 2:8,9

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration (a new creature), and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Titus 3:5

Such freedom is the beginning of a whole new way of life:  a life free from sin, a life that chooses to walk in the light, that lives to praise his new Lord.

Christ...loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.  Ephesians 5:25-27

We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.  Galatians 5:1