John 8:31-32
“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”“
John 8:31-32 NIV
There are few things more coveted than freedom. People die for it. People pray for it. People strive for it. True freedom comes from knowing truth. Knowing truth ultimately comes by living in obedience to Jesus. Truth is not just something you think about or believe.
Truth is something you do, you live. Jesus’ teaching often ends with the exclamation. Blessed are you who do these things. Only by doing will we ever know the truth that liberates us.
To spot counterfeit currency, federal agents study the genuine bills rather than the fake ones. This practice makes any discrepancies in copies more noticeable. If we want to stand firm against deceit, we must learn to walk in truth.
Jesus reminded His disciples in these scriptures that if they obey His Word, they are His disciples. The only way we will know Truth is by knowing God's Word. The more we study the Bible, the more we will recognize when someone says something that is contrary to Scripture. Studying Scripture takes time and discipline. Walking in Truth is not easy.
The world does not encourage believers to obey Jesus’ teaching. However, the benefit of knowing His Word far outweighs the cost. What practice can you set into place to help you walk in Truth?
As we abide in His Word, it leads to a knowledge of this truth. This isn't a static knowledge, but rather this knowledge of the truth sets us free. Isn't that what we ultimately desire? The truth is that every single one of us will be a disciple of something or someone. We will abide in and on something or someone's words. However, there is only One who can truly set us free, and His name is Jesus. Our culture today teaches us that to be free we need to be true to ourselves, and that submitting ourselves to someone else's word brings about captivity and oppression.
Yet here Jesus teaches us that as we abide in His Word, He leads us to truth and freedom. How is this possible? We were made to know God, to be in relationship with Him. Therefore learning from Him how it is we were made and how we are to relate to God is a roadmap to true freedom.
Knowing the truth sets you free from the boundaries men put on you. It frees you from the condemnation you feel about what you have done wrong. It frees you from the fear of the unknown future. It frees you from past hurts and pains. It gives you a reason to keep going forward, to stay strong, to love others and to live life following Jesus.
Let us abide in the Word of God so that we may learn of Christ and grow in grace, for if we truly abide in Christ and He in us we will certainly be His disciples and we will know the truth and the truth will set us free!!!
Father, thank You for this day and the Holy Spirit who gives us illumination and revelation. Lord, let Your abundant blessings be my friend and family's portion today. Thank You for the power of Your Word to guide us in all truth. Lord, we pray that You will help hide Your Word in our hearts. We pray that You will help us abide in You.
We seek not only Your presence in our daily lives, but also Your pleasure in the choices we make. Lord, please teach us more of Your truth as we pledge to live today in obedience to Your Word and Your Will. Lord use us to be the touch of Your love to those in our path.
Father, we love You. Amen
Comments