Freedom

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

I have recently been reading a novel which touched on the time when the North and South in America were fighting over slavery.  Much profit was made from slaves and they were very convenient to many rich families in the south, but those who could see the injustice of it fought long and hard to set people free.  The slave owners didn't get it, their eyes were blinded to the injustice because they didn't want their 'apple carts upset'.  

Sometimes when people say things to us we just don't get it.  It's so easy to 'get the wrong end of the stick' or to not see things clearly for what they are; especially if we are comfortable in what we are doing and how we are living. 

Many who came to hear and question Jesus did not come with pure motives.  Some did and had their lives changed but many more had their set ideas and agendas and so they just didn't get it. When Jesus talked about freedom, certain people were offended because they thought they were already free.  They thought they already knew 'the truth' that Jesus spoke of and were offended that he inferred otherwise.  He went on to teach that they needed to be freed from sin.  This was so offensive to these religious people who thought they had it right.  However, it was obvious to Jesus that they needed to be set free from the spirit of hatred and murder that was manifesting in their lives.  They were out to kill the One who had been sent to set them free from sin.  They wanted to kill the Messenger of freedom.....and they succeeded. They just didn't get it.

There are issues today about which we Christians will be called upon to take a position which the world will not understand.  In fact the world will be offended at us because they cannot understand our position unless their spiritual eyes have been opened, (1 Corinthians 2:14).  We need to ensure that our stand is taken in a loving way; not self righteous, condemning and judgmental (Colossians 3:12).  Jesus didn't come to condemn the world, but that world, through Him, might be saved (John 3:17).  We may still be misunderstood but we need to remain true and faithful to his teachings, or we will be open to deception ourselves.  

If we water down the truth of God's word we will deprive people of coming face to face with the Truth that will set them free and bring them into God's family.  For ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), there is not one of us who can reach God's standard of righteousness apart from Jesus (Romans 3:10).  He is our righteousness (Romans 8:10).

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to die to for my sins, thank you for imparting his righteousness to me.  I know my own righteousness is as filthy rags to you, the pure and holy One.  Help me to stay true to your teachings and truth.  Amen