JOHN 8:31-36: “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” NKJV
OBSERVATION: What is truth? This is the question that is being asked by many today. We live in a day of moral relativism. Truth is what one makes it. One thing can be true for me and false for another. The importance is how I feel and what my experiences validate as truth. Is there really an objective truth for everyone?
I want to limit my consideration of these questions to the life of the Christian. The basis for my thoughts begin with someone who claims to believe in God and accepts the Bible as the Word of God. What is the role of truth in their life? Is truth an objective or a subjective issue?
When we look at the church today we do not find much of a difference between those who call themselves Christians and those who openly do not believe in God. Statistics of divorce, drug abuse, addiction to pornography, and a litany of other sins, differ little from those who sit in the pews of churches and those who don’t. Why is this?
I believe it is because of a disregard for the truth. We have begun to look at the commandments of God as simply suggestions. If they fit my lifestyle then I agree with them. If they become a hinderance to what I want to do I begin to pick and choose the truths I will hold on to and dismiss the ones that I do not like. I begin to mirror the spiritual fervency of a lukewarm cup of coffee.
Jesus defined His entire ministry by the truth. He said boldly – “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Jesus did not simply claim to be a spokesman for the truth. Jesus claimed to be the truth. Every word He spoke was the heart and mind of the Father. His words were absolute, unchanging , and eternal. To be a true disciple of Jesus Christ we must embrace and follow all of His words!
- “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Jesus is the Eternal Word. He is the Word that created the heavens and the earth in Genesis. He is the Word that was revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai. He is the Word spoken through the prophets. And, He is the final revelation of God to mankind.
- “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds…”. Hebrews 1:1-2 NKJV
We are involved in a war. It is not a war with drugs, morality, or governments. It is a war of truth against the lies of hell. It is a war for the soul of man. It is a war that will either result in bondage or liberty. The deciding factor is how we view the truth.
- “Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
There is only one road to freedom. It is through truth. Sin always blinds and binds. It is the truth that sets one free. And, this truth, God’s truth, sets one free indeed! It alone can break the bonds of sin and shame. It alone leads to the pathway of freedom, fruitfulness, and eternal life. The truth is Jesus. Jesus is the truth. We cannot pick and choose from His teachings. We must uphold the whole counsel of God’s Word!
Jesus said to Pontius Pilate during His trial,
- “…For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” John 18:37 NKJV
Pilate answered Jesus – “What is truth?”
Father, open our eyes to understand Your truth. Open our eyes to see Jesus , to hear His word, and to walk in His ways. Let us nail the spirit of moral relativism to Your cross and boldly walk in Your truth. And, as we walk in Your truth, by grace through faith, set us free.
Set us free indeed!
In Jesus Name!
