In John 8:31-32, Berean Standard Bible, Jesus this unequivocal statement, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” This is one of the most powerful and revealing statements in the Gospels. Right here, we have what is called a given. In mathematics, a given is something beyond doubt; it’s absolutely true. From that absolute truth, we can extrapolate another absolute truth hidden in plain sight: the root of freedom is known truth. As such, any bondage (no matter what is) is rooted in a lie. Right here, we have one of the great truths in the Bible: the lie (no matter what it is or in what area it controls) always ends in bondage. Understanding that reality determines the level of freedom that we walk in. That’s what I’d like to talk about in this post.
All scripture is God breathed.
One of the great concerns I have is the serious doctrinal error that has crept into the Church. I am amazed at how believers fight for beliefs that make no sense, take extremely tenuous positions on the scriptures, and use the Word of God deceitfully to gain position, power, or money over people’s lives. What I see is shameful. Yes, shameful. I believe it’s time we recognize certain truths that are clearly shown in scripture, as the above truths I’ve just shared. Specifically, we must make our search for truth primary. That means starting from a basic and foundational understanding of scripture. In our search for truth, there are certain givens, absolutes, we must apply: 1) all scripture is God breathed, it’s inerrant and absolutely final in authority on all matters, 2) all scripture must be rightly divided, interpreted, it isn’t facially evident what it means, 3) all scripture must fit together with all other scripture (not one iota of scripture can be broken by any other scripture or our interpretation is false), 4) any claim of accurate interpretation of scripture must be tested (and verified) for it to be regarded as true, and 5) any claim of truth must release God’s blessing, power, and freedom among God’s people.
With that standard in mind, as we begin to measure much of what is presented to Christ’s body today, we begin to realize just how offensive our doctrinal error is to God’s work and God’s house. Much of the pablum presented to God’s people lacks substance, any form of spiritual nutrition. Spiritual mechanics or spiritual dynamics do not equal spiritual nutrition. In 1 Peter 2:2, 3, NLT, we are encouraged by the Apostle Peter to “Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.” Yet, in truth, many don’t even offer the “sincere milk of the word”. It’s disturbing, to say the least.
Why do I raise this issue? God’s house, God’s people, and God’s work deserves better. What is deserved is unadulterated truth. Yet, not only truth, but power. Jesus rebuked the Sadducees for their doctrinal error: “You are completely wrong! You don't know what the Scriptures teach. And you don't know anything about the power of God.” Matt. 22:29, CEV. What a slap in the face of those spiritual leaders! Yet, it was true. And they knew it. What a hard truth that must have been to swallow. The shallowness of what they taught was demonstrated by the absence of the power of God. Remember, Jesus was speaking from a place of operating in power: By this time, He had healed the sick, cleansed lepers, cast out demons, raised the dead, and done many other miraculous works in public (not to mention things done that weren’t public, like being transfigured). Jesus had God’s power. The Sadducees didn’t.
When we err in our doctrine, we lack power. We think we know God’s Word, yet we fail to do God’s Word. Knowing the scripture is not enough. Experiencing the scripture enables us to understand and discern truth. Until we walk in God’s power in doing what the scriptures teach, we will always be subject to doubt on those areas of scripture. Once we experience the power dynamic of scripture in an area, we are never again subject to doubt about God’s power or God’s truth in that area. Then, truth in that area becomes internalized. Scripture is written on our hearts. We have what King David called, “truth in the inward being”. Ps. 51:6, ESV. That is the kind of truth that sets mankind free. That’s the truth we should have and carry to all mankind.
God builds His Church through the revelation and manifestation of His Word revealed in and through His Son.
For years, I’ve seen various men and women of God who have offered others the hope of freedom while they themselves were living under the bondage of corruption. How is that not hypocrisy? Hypocrisy presents falsehood and fiction as reality. It may believe the truth in knowledge, yet deny the truth in experience. We must offer not only the knowledge of what scripture teaches, but the experience of what scripture reveals. God builds His Church through the revelation and manifestation of His Word revealed in and through His Son. We must do what the scripture says, “Kiss (pay respect to) the Son, so that He does not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled and set aflame. How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] are all those who take refuge in Him!” Ps. 2:12, Amplified Bible.
Doesn’t this present a different picture than much of what is taught today? Yes, we are in for an awakening — a rude awakening. The Son believes His Word. The Son expects us to believe His Word. The Son expects us to learn His Word. Jesus didn’t have an issue with the Apostles leaving their entire career and family to zealously pursue Him. The Apostles left everything to follow Christ. They kissed the Son. As a result, the Son shone on them. The Son shines on those who believe Him. The Son honors those who trust Him. And as the Son said, “He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” Jn. 5:23, NKJV.
God is very clear in His Word in what He expects from us: “I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained.” 1 Sam. 2:30, Berean Standard Bible. Yet, we can unwittingly dishonor God and not even know it. As Jesus stated, “This people honors Me with the lips, but their heart is kept far away from Me.” Matt. 15:8, Berean Literal Bible. They lived their lives in and under the delusion of hypocrisy. Jesus pronounced His judgement on them: “How terrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door to the kingdom from heaven in people's faces. You don't go in yourselves, and you don't allow those who are trying to enter to go in.” Matt. 23:13, New Heart English Bible. How then, can we escape, if we don’t set ourselves free from the delusions of this age? Don’t we realize “It is a fearful and terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God [incurring His judgment and wrath].” Heb. 10:34, Amplified Bible.
That’s New Testament, just in case you didn’t notice. Yes, the fear of God rightly aligns us with God. It reminds us of who He is…and who we are. God is God and I am not Him. If God is God, then God, as our Creator, our Father, deserves reverence and honor. Honor aligns us with truth, unadulterated, unequivocal truth. Truth does not bend the knee to the lie. Ever! The lie will always bows the knee to the truth; it has no choice, but to yield. Lies are fleeting. Truth is eternal. “Those who trust in and rely on the LORD [with confident expectation] Are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but remains forever.” Ps. 125:1, Amplified Bible.
“the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him.” 2 Chr. 16:9
A heart aligned with God is a heart that is free to walk in truth; it’s a heart that seeks to honor God, not only in appearance, but in truth. This is the person God seeks for. As Hanani the Seer said to King Asa, “the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him.” 2 Chr. 16:9, Berean Standard Bible. Truth in the inward parts aligns our hearts and minds with God. In truth, it causes us to honor Him by believing Him, trusting Him, relying on Him. That’s what God desires from us — truth in the inward parts that honors Him by believing, trusting, and revering Him.
That’s the truth that sets us free.
Let us pray!
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