Free

Read John 8:21-32.

Jesus promised that the truth would make us free.

Today, we would ask, "Which truth?" And, "What does he mean by freedom?" We've defined that latter word, "freedom," as the ability to do whatever you want, but that's not really freedom. Addicts know that the "freedom" to follow their passions is really just another form of slavery. The addiction becomes the master, the controlling influence in life.

And "truth" has become a relative term. "Truth," for many people, is whatever "YOU" want it to be. Or, increasingly, it is whatever the few in power determine "truth" to be. If you don't tow the line, if you believe differently, then you will be demonized (especially on social media) until you get in line. Our world has two polar opposite ideas of truth, and neither one of those notions has actually set us free.

Sometimes I wonder if Jesus just wants to shake his head and walk away.

"Truth" is true because it's true. In the long game, it doesn't matter if I believe or affirm it or not; it's still true. I can choose to not believe in gravity, but it's still true. I can elect not to believe I am surrounded by air and oxygen, but I still am. Jesus is not talking about opinions or minor things here. He's talking about truth with a capital "T"—things that are true no matter what. He's calling us to investigate, to dig deeper, to uncover what is really true, the (to paraphrase C. S. Lewis) deep truths from before the beginning of time. Embracing that truth is what will set us free.

But what will that freedom look like?

Freedom is not just the ability to do whatever we want. True freedom is rooted in knowing who we are and whose we are. It's found in rising above the muck and the muddle of the world, knowing that we belong to Jesus, we have found the Truth, and we can live joyfully even in the midst of an unhappy, divided and perishing world. It's not a "Pollyanna" attitude. True freedom is a recognition of reality but a realization (and an affirmation) that there is One who is above it all. Jesus is Lord, not Caesar. Christ is King, not the current prime ministers, presidents or rulers. We can live lives unafraid because the Truth has set us free.

How did Jesus say we would get there? By holding to his teachings, by staying true to who he called us to be. When we follow him so very closely, we become his followers and the Truth will have set us free. I long for that kind of deep freedom, don't you? Let's set our hearts on pursuing it ever more in this new year.

Comments

  1. So very true. So, so many see following Christ as bondage because they’ve never known the freedom He gives!

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