DaySpring Daily Word of Inspiration: John 8:31-32 – To the Jews who had believed him, 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.”
One of the most cliché sayings still to this day comes back into focus as our mediation for today. Jesus assures those who hold to his teaching that they will truly be his disciples (meaning followers/students of his teachings) and that they will experience truth; not just truth that will keep them honest, but truth that will set them free.
As Christians, we understand that this New Testament teaching is for you and I as well. The old covenant of the mosaic laws (the old agreement between man and God) has passed away and the new covenant (new agreement of eternal life for all who believe in Jesus & follow his teachings) has been established.
So what truth is there that brings freedom? This is a question that many have asked but my God answer for you today! The truth is this; We are all sinner (in our past, currently as you’re reading this, & from tomorrow on, you will sin), Jesus Christ came to Earth to die for the sins of mankind, His blood is the covering of all sins (as in old times, innocent blood of animals were sacrificed to atone for the sins of man before God – now Jesus was that very sacrifice, once and for all), the is power in his resurrection – to raise himself from the dead (took the sting out of death because it couldn’t even hold him in the grave, but as he went into the grave he buried the sins of the world there but rose with all power to be able to present us back to God clean of our sins but only THROUGH Him!!!) and the hope for eternal life with him.
Now you ask, how is that truth freedom? There is freedom in this; No longer are you tortured by the thoughts of not being good enough for God (because you aren’t), no longer do you have to be a prisoner of the same sins that you’ve done over and over, no longer do you need to live without true direction, no longer do you have to harbor anger and deceit, no longer do you have to live how others have told you to. Now you know what true love is. Now you know what true forgiveness is. Now you can understand what grace is. Now you can understand what mercy is. Now you can live by faith and not by trying to do works to get yourself into heaven. Now there is no fear of death, in fact, you welcome it because you know what you can expect when this flesh passes away. Now you are happy with just being you and knowing Jesus loves you just as you are. That is the freedom! No more worries or cares about fitting in to what the world says is cool, because now you’re living by Jesus’ standards. Being free to love Jesus with all you have in the exact way that his teachings would imply.
However, you can’t get that true freedom that eases the heart and brings peace to your spirit if you aren’t following his word teachings.
The truth about Jesus Christ when followed as your daily life focus will set you free to live without fear in this life on Earth. Worries, problems, negativity, and hang-ups will be in all of our lives but with the knowledge of the gospel; the teachings of Jesus, we have a different perspective on them which frees us from giving it power in our lives. When we give problems over to the one who can handle all things, we are FREE once again from that which many would allow to take over their existence.
Freedom does come at a cost! Free will costs you & freedom from Jesus costs you. Free will allows you to do whatever you want to now, but you will pay for it in the end, while freedom from Jesus costs you being able to live as you want now, but able to live with Him in the end. Which one is better for you; freedom to live 70-90 years on Earth as you want or to live eternity with Christ?
Today are you willing to give up everything (from how you live, to what you’re concerned about, to how you speak, to the things you do in private) you believe to be right and follow the truth of Jesus’ teachings? We pray that you take a moment to think over these things and consider what freedom you want and at what cost are you willing to pay. There is freedom through Jesus but it comes by accepting His truth. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!