Thursday, January 24, 2013

And The Truth Shall Set You Free

We've all heard this phrase said in some context or another. Maybe in a movie or someone we know uses it as a cliché. But have you ever taken the time to learn more about where it came from and what context it was said in?

Jesus said these words in John chapter 8. He actually said them to a group of Jewish people that were new believers in Him as the Messiah. It ...came just after He was telling the Pharisees that He was the Light of the World. So you could only imagine that there was doubt and tension as part of this conversation. I love how Jesus handles the situation with the new believers.

Jesus told these new believers that if they were to abide in His word and hold to His teachings, then they will know the truth, and this truth (that He is the Messiah, forgiver of sins and the pathway to the Father) will set them free.

Well, their response was genuine. They told Jesus that they were not currently in bondage or a slave to anyone, what did they need to be set free from? Jesus clearly told them that their sin was their master and they, in fact, where a slave to their sin. Just as you and I are, our sins can keep us enslaved from reaching our full potential and the blessings that God has for us. We need freedom from our sin. Jesus provides us this opportunity.

What ongoing sin do you have? Imagine if you had a way to be free from that bondage. You need the truth to be set free. The truth is that Jesus is our savior. Here is the truth about Jesus as best as I can provide: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Then the Word became flesh through the birth and ministry of Jesus. Who willingly died on the cross for our sins (to set us free), rose from the dead and today sits at the right hand of God Almighty. He will return to this earth one day. He is the only way to God our Father in Heaven.

If you want to be set free, then you need to seek the truth, which is Christ Jesus.

John 8:31-36
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”
34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

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