PASSING THE TRUTH

10 24 12 Passing the Truth  

John 8:31-32 (NIV) To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Commentary: Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." This is not speaking of truth as we would normally think of it; the truth we place in the context of human knowledge or understanding. There have been many things thought to be true over the centuries that have now proven to be false. The truth John is speaking about in our text is the type of truth that will always be true and has been true from the beginning of time. This truth originates with God and can only be revealed by God. The “gospels,” Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, contain the following words spoken by Jesus over 80 times: “I tell you the truth.” Jesus came not only save and redeem mankind but he also came to reveal truth. In fact one of the descriptive words used to refer to Jesus is the word “truth.” (Jn 14:6)

This gives new meaning to the word truth. Truth now becomes a person that can be known personally. Not only is Jesus truth but that which he speaks is truth. His message to the fallen world is the word of truth (Col 1:5).

Here are some important observations about truth:

(1) The highest form of Truth, eternal Truth, life-saving Truth, is found only in God’s Word; the Word that became flesh (Jn1:14) and lives among us; Jesus Christ, (Jn 1:1; 14). Since Jesus is Truth he speaks only Truth. His revealed Word of Truth is the Bible. The Bible, God’s Word, reveals the Truth about those who see their need of forgiveness; their need of having a new beginning through faith in Jesus Christ and in their becoming a new creation in Christ.

(2) God’s Word, especially the New Testament revels the Truth of how Christ called, taught and personally commissioned them to take his gospel message into all the world. This personal commissioning continues to this day. All are to go, all are to teach, all are to make disciples and teach them to obey everything Christ has taught them. All go in his authority and in his power (Matt 28:19-20). 

(3) The Truth Jesus taught them is complete in every way. It was Truth in his day and continues to be Truth today.

(4) The Truth that saves and frees people spiritually is Truth revealed to mankind “by his Spirit” (1 Cor 2:10). It has never been nor will ever be revealed by anyone else, regardless of how wise or charismatic they may appear to be (1 Cor 2:12-13).

(5) There will be many, through the ages, who will reject the Truth and believe a lie (Ro 1:25). It’s difficult for believers to understand how any could knowingly turn their backs on God’s love and instead choose to be lost for eternity (2 Thess 2:9-10).

No one will ever be able to say, “I didn’t know,” because God has made his Truth plain to them (Ro 1:19). All can escape deception and judgment by accepting and basing our lives on the Truth of Christ and his Word. The Truth sets us free; the lie brings us into spiritual slavery. The Truth restores; the lie destroys. We are called to love Jesus and his Word so that we can know the Truth that sets us free.

In our journey of faith, Jesus has commissioned us to pass his Truth from one person to another. When this Truth is believed by faith, it leads to a personal relationship with Christ, the redeemer, Savior and Author of life. 

Every day lived is a day of life or a day of death. What makes the difference is found in what you believe. To believe the “Truth” is life; to believe the “lie” is death. The Father of the “Truth” is God; the father of the “lie” is Satan. Who do you believe?   

Did the Lord speak to you today?  Why not write it down and claim it for His Glory.

Prayer:  What do you need to pray to the Lord today? Listen to your heart. He loves you!