The truth will set you free

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." – John 8.31-32

Jesus was not a popular guy among the Jewish leaders and theologians. His preaching was already having an impact and opposition to Him and His teaching was growing.

But some of them believed the things He was teaching. He put that belief to a test and a standard when He said ‘if you abide in My word, you are my disciples indeed.’

The true test of whether or not one follows Him is whether or not they abide in His word. Those who truly follow Him are going to have lives that are different and are guided by His word.  This does not mean that Christians never sin, or that Christians never wander, but that those who are truly committed to following Christ will live accordingly.

And then Jesus added, ‘and you shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’

This is one of those Bible sayings that has made its way into popular culture, but what does it mean? To find the answer we need to look at the context. Jesus was speaking to Jews who were bound by the Jewish Law. The Law was tough – real tough. They were severe penalties for the usual things, but also severe penalties for violations of hygiene and dietary regulations. People must have felt trapped by the rules and regulations. We now know that the purpose of the Law was to teach how impossible it would be for man to earn his way to heaven. Perfection would have been required. Despite the Old Testament passages that told about the importance of heart change people still felt bound by that Law.

But Jesus said ‘now I am here. I am the way, the truth, and the life. My truth will set you free from the burden of the Law.’ Paul wrote to the Galatians that ‘…the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.’

But in Christ grace was made complete. In Christ the burden of the Law was lifted and the life of grace was established.

The truth makes us free from religious burdens today. The grace life should never be a burden, but a life of joy. The truth indeed does set many free – and praise God for that freedom!