The Truth Will Set You Free

Jesus said:

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." - John 8:31,32

Jesus did not teach that anyone hearing the truth would be set free. He said that for those who hold to his teachings (his disciples), the truth would set them free. His disciples are promised freedom.

There are millions of people, saved and not saved, who listen to Jesus Christ and are still in bondage. The key is to become a disciple, one who holds to his teachings and walks in them.

In various versions the word hold is translated:

• abide
• continue
• hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them
• If ye continue in my word
• If you continue to obey my teaching

Jesus made it clear that simply hearing his words didn't save anyone or set anyone free any more than hearing your friends tell jokes means that you believe the jokes or that you will repeat the jokes.

Jesus said that we become free when we:

• listen to his words
• believe his words
• believe him
• repent from our former way of life
• live according to his words
• continue to live according to his words

This is how we destroy strongholds in our minds and life: we listen to Jesus, believe him, turn away from what we were doing that was in conflict with the truth of God's word, and walk out the truth in the power of the Spirit.

Christianity is not for wimps. Christianity is for the courageous. It takes courage to do what Jesus told us (and is telling us) to do because the world, the workplace, our family, even our own churches may stand against the truth found in God's word. We have to know what we believe and why we believe it. Then we will be like a man who builds his house upon a rock and will not be shaken.

Then we will truly be his disciples. Then we will certainly be free.