The Truth Will Set You Free

Truth is a, beautifully, frightful thing. You will likely have heard the saying 'The truth shall set you free' a few times in your life. I have experienced this freedom many times in my life and I cherish those moments because truth really does set you free. Free from what? Well, lets face it; we are all pretty messed up. If you've read this blog in the past then you'll know that I have some pieces from my life that I am not proud of, but revealing the truth about the ugly has in fact brought a makeover. Truth frees us from fear, doubt, feelings of inadequacy, shame, anger, the list can go on. I believe that all of those negative emotions that I just mentioned are a call back to truth. A call back to the life we were created to live. Let me speak from experience for a moment. When I conduct myself in a manner that brings forth feelings of shame and fear it is always inevitable that along with those emotions come a strong conviction to speak the truth about my own human condition. I've already stated that I think humans are messed up. Don't try and kid yourself here either. This is part of being truthful. I must be accepting of the fact that I am a man who is selfish and I mess up daily because of it. I would encourage you to accept that reality for yourself on a daily basis as well. There's another saying 'Truth hurts'. You won't get freedom without a little, or a lot, of pain.
It is important for us to know that the saying 'the truth shall set you free' actually comes from the mouth of Jesus Christ as recorded by John in his account of Jesus' life. You can find it in John 8:32 which says 'you will know the truth, and that truth will give you freedom.' What is Jesus talking about here? The truth will set you free? If you read the whole of John chapter 8 you will see that Jesus is actually taking about himself. Jesus is claiming to the people that he is in fact the truth and that through himself all creation will be set free!

"I am the light that shines through the cosmos; if you walk with Me, you will thrive in the nourishing light that gives life and will not know darkness" - John 8:12

Throughout this chapter Jesus speaks about His divine affiliation with God the Father and the truth that HE, Jesus, embodies. Freedom is found in truth and truth is found in Jesus Christ because of what He would do through His death on the cross.

It is note worthy that in Chapter 8 of John a women found to be having a marital affair is brought to Jesus, by the pharisees, to be condemned for her wrongdoing in the eyes of the Mosaic Law (10 Commandments). The Pharisees were hoping that Jesus would take mercy on this women and not have her killed for her crimes against the Mosaic law. Rather then tell the Pharisees that she was not to be killed he instead said "Let the first stone be thrown by the one among you who has not sinned." He reminded the Pharisees and the crowd watching that no one is considered pure under God's Law. Everyone is condemned to death and eventually everyone leaves and the women is spared. As we have seen, He continues in the chapter to teach of the freedom that is found in truth about God as revealed through Jesus; Himself.  If you want to know freedom come to me, Jesus says. If you want to know what truth is come to me, Jesus says.

So, when I have those moments in my day where I feel an overflow of fear, shame, anger, etc and at the same time I feel that prompting to be truthful with myself about my sinfulness I must accept that I am messed up and then I must take the appropriate steps towards truth which is where freedom is found. It's that place where all my 'messed up' is made glorious. I must step towards Jesus, the author of all things true, and receive my makeover. Those steps are scary. They often feel like baby steps for me, but they get larger and quicker over time and eventually, I have hope, that they become long, sprinters strides and I run with anticipation to the freedom found in truth. And then here is the truly remarkable part of the Jesus story! Even when I cannot bring myself to make those steps forward towards Jesus He waits. And He waits. And He Waits. He waits because He loves and he knows who you truly are. He already dealt with all your mess on the day of His agonizing crucifixion so that all of creation could be reconciled to God. Our sins are paid for with the life of Jesus Christ and "if we hear his voice and abide in His word..." you are truly free. You are made perfect. May we all hear his voice and abide in his word more and more each and every day and step into the life that we were created to live.

For His Kingdom.