"So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed him, "If you continue in my word, {then} you are truly disciples of mine: and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
They answered him "We are Abrahams descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that you say, 'You will become free'?"
Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.
"The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever.
"So if the son makes you free, you will be free indeed." (NASB)
Often times, when I, or someone else I know quotes this scripture, we only quote the last part of the first paragraph "and you shall know the truth[...]." On occasion, I may even hear "So if the son makes you free, you will be free indeed." Rarely do I hear the surrounding verses. The consequence is that we Christians miss an important concept.
Read the above verse again. Notice the prerequisite for truth? Jesus said that if you continue in his word (the definition of being his disciple), then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
My original thought was that he was referring to salvation. Notice however, that he was talking to those who already believed him. He was referring not to salvation, but to discipleship. Perhaps they are one and the same, but I don't think so.
What is it that the truth sets us free from? Sin. Conversely, deception entangles us in it. Have you noticed that whenever Satan tempted someone, he used deception. He told Eve a lie to get her to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. He told Jesus lies and even twisted scripture in an attempt to get Jesus to sin. Satan's best (perhaps only) tool is deception. We sin when we believe in his lies, but if we know the truth, how can Satan deceive us? He can't.
Unfortunately, we humans are quite fallible, better yet, gullible. The prince of this world is spoon feeding the earth with his lies. The result is that although truth may be staring us right in the face, we don't see it. The Pharisees in Jesus' time are a good example
But don't think that deception has escaped us Christians. It becomes clear that Christians are being deceived when we face so many contrasting beliefs. The Bible never contradicts itself, yet we Christians argue about doctrine and claim that our beliefs come from the same source. If the Bible does not contradict, then the only conclusion left is that someone is being deceived. Of course, as long as we believe in Jesus Christ and his salvation, whatever else I believe isn't important, Right?
Wrong! To the contrary, a little leaven leavens the whole lump (Gal. 5.9). In today's society I hear the phrase "everyone is entitled to there own opinion," but let me steal a quote from Relient K "Opinions are immunity to be told your wrong." We cannot let deception go by for the sake of escaping arguments. Search the scriptures. Find out if your beliefs are founded in God's Word, just be careful not to twist scripture to fit your beliefs. Instead, take the Bible at face value. If you have to work to make something fit, then perhaps it shouldn't fit at all.
Furthermore, do not be quick to assume that you have escaped Satan's schemes. Regardless of who told you and how long you have believed what you have believed, it is always possible that you have accepted a lie. Even I, high and mighty I, :), have been deceived.
So, God, where have I been deceived? May your truth set me free.
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2 comments:
This reminds me of a movie we were watching recently, the "classic" Miracle on 34th Street. The movie is based on a strange premise that climaxes in an eye-rolling moment when the lawyer asks the judge, "Which is better-a lie that brings a smile, or truth that brings a tear?" The unbelievers can pursue and gain truth as much as they want, but it will always be bondage to them, as evidenced in Romans 1. Verse 25 describes these people "who exchanged the truth of God for the lie." Anyways, all these thoughts were sparked by your great observation that Jesus was promising freedom through truth to His disciples. Many people want to grab hold of that promise, but it does not apply to the world! Thanks!
The challenge to "search the scriptures" and be a liken to the Bareans of the Acts church is often misunderstood. Remembering the 4 W's help when reading and meditating, as well as remembering that the "Bible" our Disciples and LORD read was the Old Testament...predominately the Torah. May we gain a deeper understanding of the Heart of God as we dig and learn the whole sum of scripture.
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