The Truth Will Set You Free

Many people today don’t believe that they are captive to sin, that they are in the power or grip of sin. They might admit that sometimes they do wrong, and that they have a few bad habits which they cannot break. ‘I’m not perfect, I sometime do wrong, but I’m a good person, ya know?’; ‘It’s not a sin, it’s only bad habits. Think positive please’; anything but sin. They don’t like the idea of being a slave of sin (even this title is offensive to them).

Ya know what? That’s nothing new. People in Jesus’ day didn’t like the idea and that sort of talks either. They objected strongly when Jesus said that they could be set free by His word, by the truth. They said: “We… have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” (John 8:33, NIV). But Jesus replied: “[Everyone] who sins is a slave to sin… if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (v.8:34-36).

Another gospel writer told a parable by Jesus in Luke 18:9-14 which illustrates this. Two men went to the Temple to pray. One of them, a Pharisee, was proud of being better, more religious than the people around him. The other one, a tax collector, “beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”’ Jesus explained later that the tax collector, the one who asked for God’s mercy and confessed himself a sinner, went home justified and forgiven – but the proud self-deceived Pharisee did not. The first knew that he was a slave to sin; the second was deceived about his real spiritual state.

People who believe that they are free from sin will not feel any need to ask for forgiveness. However, those who know that they are sinners and turn to the merciful God will not be disappointed – their sins will be forgiven. Jesus is the answer to our offensive sins against God. “You will know the truth [Jesus Himself], and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).

It’s hard to admit that we’re slaves to sin.

But only the one who “know the truth” and

admits he’s a slave to sin is forgiven.

What is your respond after reading this?

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.