Last week we looked at a phrase from the Bible that has become quite popular: “the truth will set you free.” A great principle, but it’s part of a complete sentence that gets neglected:
“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” – John 8:31-32 (ESV)
In our culture, the last six words (in bold) have caught on because people think they refer to self-knowledge and self-acceptance. Identifying your interests and desires is supposed to liberate you from the restrictions of society. Sin undergoes reinterpretation as authenticity, something which others oppose at their peril.
The other way Jesus’ statement gets misused is when people assume it promotes self expression. It appears to sanction people spouting whatever they believe to be correct about themselves or society as a whole. Social media provides an excellent forum for such verbalizations. People believe they should post anything that crosses their minds because they think they’re fulfilling a moral obligation to set the record straight.
But some try to deal with this phrase from God’s Word in a more straightforward manner. They may not recognize the source of the statement, but they feel its significance. In treating it with respect, they aim to reveal and apply its potential for a new audience.
Christians needn’t dismiss these attempts. If we deal with them, we’ll find they serve as occasions for proclaiming biblically-based, spiritual truth. We can use these perceptions to declare the gospel.
Last week we looked at four such quotes. Now, we’ll cover three more.
- “The truth will set you free. But not until it is finished with you.” – David Foster Wallace
Reading this line by Wallace makes me feel like I’m about to enter a wrestling match! Sometimes, truth has that effect; we don’t like what we’re hearing, so we fight it to keep things the way we want them.
God calls us to something better. Costly, but better. His Word exposes what’s really going on in our hearts; it also reveals His holy and loving nature. To be wise, we must learn who the Lord is and who we ourselves are.
But we resist the struggle with Scripture. St. Augustine once declared, “If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don’t like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.” We’re tempted to trust ourselves more than the Lord!
But we can’t have God on our terms. We have to agree to His conditions and let His Word do its work in our lives.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:12-13
When we submit to God’s truth, we will find ourselves, taught, corrected, informed, and chastened. God uses the Bible to make us like Christ. The process may prove difficult, but the results are worth it.
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” – Hebrews 12:11
In John 8, Jesus challenged His disciples to hold on to His teaching (vss. 31-32). Why would they need this encouragement? What would entice them to let go?
How about disapproval from society, particularly its leaders and trendsetters? If everyone around us considers our spiritual pursuits to be a waste of time or a huge mistake, the idea of giving up will appeal to us.
Couple that with the scouring effect the gospel has on our souls, and sticking with Scripture turns out to demand more endurance and dedication than we may have anticipated.
Jesus knows this and that’s why He promises the reward of freedom for those who stay committed to the Word.
- “Before the truth can set you free you have to recognize which lie is holding you hostage.” – Mike Epps
In the first step of the 12 Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous, people begin the process of recovery by acknowledging their addiction to a self-destructive compulsion: “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol–that our lives had become unmanageable.” For most participants, this step represents a humbling change of mind. Addicts believe that their drug doesn’t control them; they insist that “they can quit anytime they want to.” But they can’t, and a combination of factors–the threat of a job loss, a spouse walking out, an accident, financial destitution, the conviction of the Holy Spirit–conspires to open their eyes to the truth of who they are. They abandon the big lie of self-control and look to a Higher Power for help.
The truth is not our enemy. Lies keep us in bondage, but God’s Word, though stinging, provides release when we obey it.
“But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it–not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it–they will be blessed in what they do.” – James 1:25
What lies did Jesus confront in the lives of His interrogators? They believed they were children of Abraham, but Christ debated this not because He doubted their genetics, but because He questioned their hearts. They didn’t trust God the way Abraham did, so their family lineage meant little. Those who fought Jesus knew neither facts nor freedom from God’s perspective; instead, the lies of the devil (John 8:33-37, 44) had bound their thinking.
What falsehoods have failed you? What truths do you resist that the Holy Spirit is attempting to reveal to you? Why do you withstand? What are you trying to preserve that you fear you will lose? Whatever it is, taking God at His Word will do more to bless you than the shrewdest deceptive platitudes ever could.
- “Only the truth of who you are, if realized, will set you free.” – Eckhart Tolle
The issue of identity pervades the discussions (debates, arguments!) contained in John 8 (vss. 7, 12-19, 23-26, 28-29, 31-58). The religious leaders were skeptical of Jesus and kept trying to force Him to state who He thought He was. If He would describe Himself as little more than a teacher or patriot, they could live with that. But if He proclaimed Himself to be a prophet or even the Messiah, well, that’s a different story!
They wanted to know–who did Jesus think He was?
Jesus broadened their question. “Who are you” cuts both ways–it applies to Him, but also to His conversation partners.
Christ spoke of Himself only in relation to His Father. Jesus knew who He was because He knew God. And He offers to anyone willing to join Him participation in His relationship with God. That’s what it means to be a disciple.
But to begin the journey, you’ll have to admit that you’re not on the path, that your life has gotten off-track. Admitting your sins to the Lord doesn’t earn you condemnation. Rather, it’s a crucial step to obtaining freedom and fulfillment. When you’re ready to be rid of your sin, you’re prepared to believe in Jesus. And when you put your trust in Him, you’ll realize His plans for your life.
Paul integrates the identities of Jesus and Christians:
“He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.” – Colossians 1:28
What Tolle describes, Jesus provides! Find Christ in the Word and discover yourself in Christ.
“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” – Acts 20:32
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