Wednesday, October 14, 2009

The Truth Makes us Free


by Patrick Eaks

John 8:32 - And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

2Cor. 3:17 - Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

John 17:17 - Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.


Error always leads to bondage. Truth always leads to freedom. If these statements are true, what is our obligation to make sure that we believe the truth? Each individual has the responsibility to make sure what they believe can be clearly proved by the word of God. Following are three truths found in the word of God that will keep us from bondage and lead us into freedom.

I. The Word of God is the Only source of Truth for our Spiritual life.

In Romans 3:4 Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit writes, “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.” That is why it is so important for us to have a knowledge and understanding of His word. Not only is the word our source for spiritual meat and drink, it also is a guide to keep us from falling into serious error. Jesus said in Matthew 4:4, “... Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” We cannot go to the outside world to try to get wisdom in our spiritual lives. The wisdom of this world has absolutely nothing to offer the true child of God. Self help books, 12 step programs, men's opinions, etc., all add to the bondage of man!

II. It is our Responsibility to know the Word of God.

We are told in Acts 17, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” You can see how the Bereans understood there responsibility to search the scriptures themselves, to make sure that even the Apostle Paul was right when it comes to the word of God. How much more should we make sure that what we are hearing from teachers today is found in His word? It also is our responsibility to study the word of God. Does not Paul command us in 2Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (I understand Paul first commanded Timothy to do this, but cannot we apply this to all believers in our day)? If you are trusting only in another's gifting to teach you the word of God, this could lead you into bondage.

III. The Holy Spirit is our Guide in the study of the Word.

Every true believer is given the gift of the Holy Spirit. John writes to us about the Divine Helper in 1John 2:27, “ But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” Not that we do not need men with the gift of teaching, but that we need the Holy Spirit to help us (i.e. individuals) to discern what men are teaching. And how does the Spirit do this? By helping us in the understanding of the word of God. He is the divine author of the word of God, as Peter tells us in 2Peter 1:21, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” Trust in the Holy Spirit to teach you personally and individually and you will be lead into freedom.

God the Father has given many great provisions to those who are truly born again. He has promised to feed them daily with His infallible word. He has given them the example of the Bereans who searched the scriptures daily. He has given them the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth. If we are living in bondage today, it is our own fault.

Do you regard the word of God as your only source of spiritual food? Do you daily see your responsibility to study and know the word of God? Do you trust in the precious Holy Spirit of God to guide and teach you the word of God? The child of God that can be diligent in these things, will find themselves living in freedom.


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