If you grew up in Church, like I did, you are probably familiar with the phrase taken from John 8:32b, “The truth will set you free”. However, taken out of context – one may miss several key items. The entire verse reads, beginning with the verse before (John 8:31-32),
“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free”.
When we take a deep dive into this exchange from Jesus to the Jews, there are several key items worth noting. First, Jesus is sharing this statement to the Jews who had believed him.There were many people that Jesus encountered daily that knew about him, perhaps knew him from afar, yet they did not BELIEVE him. When he made shocking statements to the Pharisees or Sadducees, like if you have seen me then you have seen the Father, or I am the Son of God. This was hard for their religious minds to comprehend.They heard this but did not believe him.
Secondly, the only truth that will set one free is the truth they know. Not just what they seem to know about or are vaguely familiar with.To know something means that all doubt has been removed and uncertainty has been eliminated. Truth is NOT based upon feelingsor emotions,and itis not a moving target.
Truth does not exist apart from God. If we want to know Truth, we must look at the Word of God, this is where we find Truth. Apart from God, truth does not exist. He is the base of all truth, and His Word is the written truth. This is where Truth begins and ends.
There are those that try to separate God from His Word. This is absurd. Many will claim to believe in God but have no idea what the Bible states.
We are so fortunate that we have full access to God through his Word. We can live a life of true freedom because the Truth does set us free!
Rhonda Smart, [email protected]
