Day 12: The Truth

The fact of the matter is that the average person isn't as “free” as they think they are. For most people, first thoughts around “freedom” probably relate to freedom of action. Many probably go to political and social themes. Some, might first go to philosophical discussions of “free will.” The Bible clearly ties freedom to knowledge of the truth. Whatever the realm or scope, freedom should be counted as a valued gift.

Compare the Bible’s message in the verses above to the following excerpt from America's Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government…

Do you see the difference between these two claims?

At best we can only be free within our nature…our freedom of action is inherently constrained to our nature, state, and circumstances. I am not free to fly like a bird. A bird with an injured wing is not free to fly either. I can certainly try. But, my time is probably better spent learning to master the technology available to me…the airplane. Even with a plane at my disposal, the FAA would prohibit it unless there is a certified pilot in the cockpit. Yes, there are very definite limits to our freedom…and, that's the truth.

There are hosts of verses that speak of man's nature as being naturally enslaved to sin and subject to the penalty of the law (John 8:34, Rom 6:17, 7:14, 8:2). The Bible makes it clear that freedom is not something we are born with.

Thankfully, in Christ I have a new nature (2 Cor 5:17). He has redeemed me from my former master (Eph 1:7, Heb 9:15, Col 1:13-14). Old constraints are gone. Of course, this new nature has its own freedom-constraints. Without Christ, it is/was impossible to please God. But now, it is within my nature to choose to obey my Father. I willingly choose to do so...often. For, with His blood he has paid my debt (1 Cor 7:23).

Rom 6:14-22 [excerpts] For sin will have no mastery over you, because you are not under law but under grace… you are slaves of the one you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or obedience resulting in righteousness? … having been freed from sin, you became enslaved to righteousness… But now, freed from sin and enslaved to God, you have your benefit leading to sanctification, and the end is eternal life. (NET)

Freedom to make the right choices doesn’t mean we always do make the right choice. If you are new to the family of God, don't fixate on those stubborn inclinations that are still hanging around. Instead fixate on knowing Jesus more. There is absolutely an expectation of eventually maturing. But, just like a loving biological father, God is patient. He will continue to love through colicky nights, terrible twos, and crazy teenage years.

In your own words, what does redeemed really mean?

Two verses regarding truth are uniquely Christian:

John 8:32 “…you will know the truth, and the truth will ___________________.”

John 14:6 Jesus replied, “I am the way, and _____ truth, and the life.

Our Equipping