People often quote the phrase “The truth shall set you free” when referring to speaking the truth as opposed to a lie. Though that is a very good lesson to teach, that is, encouraging people to be honest, that is certainly not what that verse, as spoken out of the mouth of Christ, was referring to at all.
In John 8, after Jesus had rescued the woman who was being accused of adultery from the angry mob, He went on to have a dialogue with the Pharisees about their obvious ignorance of who He was. For the lengthy exchange that they had, and the numerous verses that chapter contains, the entire chapter is centered on the Pharisees either trying to get proof, clarity, or understanding on one, single fact concerning Jesus. The fact of “Who are you”?
But Jesus’ statements to them also amplified one thing; their unbelief; and He stated in no uncertain terms that He could tell and show them in multiple ways from sun up, to sunset, and they still would not get it because they had chosen in their hearts not to believe Him.
Verses 21 and 24 of John 8 say:
21 “Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.”
24”I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”
The price of the Pharisees unbelief was to not have their sins forgiven, and because Romans 6:23 says “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”, if they did not accept Christ, then they would die in their sins. Simple. Therefore,it was their unbelief that had placed them in bondage. The bondage of sin that would ultimately lead them to their death. Not the death of “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27 KJV), but the eternal death that apportioned to all who do not die in Christ. This is what Jesus was trying to explain to them in John 8:32-36 when He said:
“ And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
The truth that sets us free is not the truth versus lie, as in honesty versus dishonesty, it is the truth that Jesus is the way, the Truth and the Life! And it is this TRUTH, that sets us free from the bondage of death. That sets us free from the enslavement of sin. This is the truth of which Christ speaks. He speaks of Himself. Jesus was saying to them that they were waiting on the Messiah, yet, the Messiah was right there in their midst. And because they did not believe in Him, they would ultimately die in their sins as they continued to live under the law.
By not believing the truth that Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God, you believe the lie.
The lie that causes unbelief is every strategy of Satan that is in place to keep people from believing this truth. It is the belief in this lie that holds people in bondage. Lies of the big bang theory, lies of science, lies that “God cannot produce a son”, lies of “everyone is really a god unto himself” or “there’s a god in each and every one of us”. Lies of anything that sets itself up as being “logical” and therefore stands a chance to refute the Word of God that He created heaven and earth an all that it contains, and that He sent His only begotten son to live on this earth; sinless; and to die for sins that He did not commit. Our sins. So that upon believing in him, our sins become part of the ones that He died for, hence, we are free, and will not die in our sins when that time comes, but, die in Christ unto eternal life!
Jesus was telling the Pharisees then, as he is telling you & I today, that if we receive Him an He has been presented in the Bible, in biblical teaching, by the testimony of our brethren who have received Him and most importantly, by His Holy Spirit who ministers to everyone and gives us an opportunity to believe in Him, and accept His death on the cross as a ransom for OUR SINS! It is only then, that we know that we have received the truth; and it is this truth that sets us free.
But keep in mind, brethren, this acceptance is not the end of the journey. In fact, it is just the beginning.
Just as Jesus said in John 8:30-31 “As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed”.
He said we are his disciples indeed only if we continue in His word. “Discipleship”, “Christianity”, “Being Saved”… These are continuous processes. From the moment we accept Jesus into our hearts and lives, Satan instantly is on the attack to destabilize us and cause us to lose our crowns. This is why Jesus urges us to remain steadfast in His word, in His Spirit, in His personality, in His teachings, in Him. It is only in this; in the Truth that is Christ, that our freedom remains permanent.
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Share you thoughts, that you might encourage your brethren.
In Christ,
The handmaid at His feet.
The handmaid at His feet 