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Reflections
A Crossroads Church Devotional
November 15, 2011
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The Freedom of Truth
[31] So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in 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 commits 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. [37] I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. [38] I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father." [39] They answered him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, [40] but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. [41] You are doing the works your father did." They said to him, "We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father-even God." [42] Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. [43] Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. [44] You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. [45] But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. [46] Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? [47] Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God."
-John 8:31-47
Numerous truths regarding freedom in Christ emerge in this passage. Let's look at three. First of all, Jesus speaks here and says that if you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples. What does it mean to "abide in the word"? Obviously opinions will abound regarding this and many, if not all, will have some level of merit.
However, since I am the one writing this devotional, let me share my thoughts. Abiding in the word begins with reading God's word, you cannot abide in something that you are not familiar with. Secondly, abiding in God's word is the result of memorization and meditation of the scriptures. I want to encourage each of you to spend time reading, memorizing and meditating God's word. If you do you will find your heart, mind and day abiding in the word of God.
Next, Jesus says you will KNOW the truth and the truth will set (one translation says "make") you free. Knowing the truth is not the gaining of information or simply having knowledge about a particular thing. The word knowing implies and encourages intimacy with the subject, in this case truth.
Truth is not a topic with information gained. Truth is a person. Truth is Jesus. Jesus said that He is the way, the TRUTH and the life. As we grow to know who Jesus is, not simply historically or theologically, but relationally, the truth of Himself will progressively and daily bring each of us into a greater level of freedom from sin, self and Satan.
Finally, Jesus said that if the Son, that is Himself, sets you free, you are free indeed. Jesus was telling them that if I free you, nothing can shackle your heart unless you permit it to. Sin has no more power over the life that has been freed by the Son. That life is free to shake off the shackles of sin and embrace the liberty of redemption.
-Written by Steve Shives
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