You may accept heard this maxim in an academic setting before; "the truth will set y'all gratis" could certainly employ to learning and gaining new knowledge. However, the original intent of this phrase refers to a spiritual liberty from the bondage of sin. Let's explore what truth means for u.s.a. from this Bible passage.

"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, 'If you abide in my word, y'all are truly my disciples, and you lot will know the truth, and the truth will set you lot free.' They answered him, 'Nosotros are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you lot say, 'Y'all will become free'?' Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly, I say to y'all, anybody who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. Then if the Son sets y'all gratis, you will be free indeed. I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet y'all seek to impale me because my discussion finds no place in you. I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what yous have heard from your father'" (John 8:31-38).

What is Truth?

Truth is defined by Merriam Webster as the actuality of things or events, fact, or spiritual reality. Other definitions of truth have to practise with sincerity in action or grapheme, while others literally refer to God. The reverse of truth, then, is lies, falsity, fiction, and falsehood. No matter how it is viewed, truth bears the fruit of trust, and many of the states spend our unabridged lives looking for it. The intrinsic desire for truth is what gives u.s.a. that deep, personal longing to answer questions like "what is my purpose," "who am I," or "who practise I serve?"

Who said "the truth volition fix you free" in the Bible?

John 8 begins with the story of the teachers of the law and the Pharisees bringing in a woman caught in infidelity. They have her stand in front of a group while they announce her sin, and state that per the police of Moses, she should be stoned. In response, Jesus begins writing in the sand with his finger, and then says, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." People began disbanding from the group, while only Jesus remained. He asks the woman if anyone had condemned her nonetheless, and when she says no, he tells her to "Become at present and exit your life of sin."

This led to dispute of who Jesus actually was. He explained to the Jewish people that he was not of this world, and that he is simply doing what the Father taught him. In John 8:31-32, Jesus said (to those who believed Him), "You are truly my disciples if you remain true-blue to my teachings. And you volition know the truth, and the truth will set y'all free."

What is the context "the truth will gear up y'all free" and who heard it?

Ellicott'southward Commentary expands on the context of this verse in this manner; on "the truth will prepare yous free" it adds that "truth and holiness are spoken of as correlative," as read in John 17:17. The poetry says, "Sanctify them past the truth; your give-and-take is truth." At this time, people limited freedom to being free from slavery or Roman rule. Merely Jesus meant "truth" and "free" as far deeper things.

The commentary goes on to say, "Sin is the bondage of the powers of the soul, and this chains is willed considering the soul does not come across its fearful evil. When it perceives the truth, there comes to it a power which rouses information technology from its daze, and strengthens it to break the fetters by which is has been bound." When Jesus said, "If you remain faithful to my teachings…" He was referring to the law that sums up all the law of the commandments as constitute in Matthew 22:37-xl:

"Jesus replied: 'Dear the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the offset and greatest commandment. And the 2d is like information technology: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these ii commandments."

In summary, it says we should love God and love people. Carrying out the stoning of a woman in sin does not show a svelte, merciful love. The grace that Jesus offered her gave her an opportunity that about certainly raised her spirit to truth and gave a glimpse of spiritual freedom.

What does "the truth will fix you lot free" mean for Christians today?

The truth, which volition set us costless, all the same applies the aforementioned way today. Although today nosotros don't seek safety from the corruption of the Roman empire, we still all suffer nether the bondage of sin. Maybe today nosotros seek safety from debt, stress and anxiety, lack of discipline, or a number of other issues. If we are focused on these wordly needs, and so we will likely limit a poesy like "the truth will set you costless" to the things we desire or need. However, what Jesus taught us in John 8:32 hits our soul, not only our minds, and is greater than our emotions.

How nosotros can live this out every twenty-four hours

There are several means that we tin shift our focus to the spiritual aspect of Jesus' teaching. The first is focusing on how nosotros can demonstrate the grace and loving kindness that Jesus shared with the woman caught in adultery. The teachers of the law that wanted to condemn the woman were living their lives in fear. They were in protection manner of the law. In that protection, they considered those who broke the law to be a threat to them. Do yous feel that you protect yourself from people, or do you allow a svelte love to flow through you at any given moment?

The 2d style we can brand an adjustment to live out a life of truth and liberty is simply past seeking God. We can start doing this past allowing ourselves grace from our ain mistakes, resting in the truth of who we are through Christ. Nosotros are forgiven. We have been extended the precious gift of grace. To go closer to God, nosotros must showtime permit this truth to be one within united states of america. From at that place, we can absorb His give-and-take more fruitfully. As we become anchored in our identity with the Father, and then we tin can finally abandon that sometime stance of viewing others as threats. After all, feeling so threatened shines light on how we attempt to have up our own lordship. Fear is built-in out of penalisation, and perfect dear has cast all of it out (ane John 4:18). It is our decision to get out it there. You tin read more verses near fear here.

Today, imagine someone showing you the grace y'all and then desperately seek. Or imagine someone showing you kindness despite anything you have done. Let that heal you, even if merely for a moment. Practice this more and more each day every bit yous begin to break off the bondage of fear. Receiving God's grace, and and so extending it beyond ourselves is precisely what Jesus intended to teach us when He said "the truth will prepare you gratuitous." Y'all are free indeed.

Kyle Blevins  is the sole contributor to the web log, REDIRECTED, which focuses on rediscovering purpose through honey. His cleaved life reached a turning point after being surrounded by positive people who believed he was capable of more. His passion is connecting with and encouraging those looking for a new starting time in life and in Christ. You lot can follow his blog at iamredirected.com.

Photo credit: Unsplash/KalVisuals