Tag: truth and freedom
Truth? or Lie?
Scripture reading for April 16: John 8
“Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of My own accord, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear My Word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because no truth is in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”” John 8:42-44
Jesus confronted those religious leaders who were seeking to trap Him and kill Him. As God does nothing by judgment without first warning those in danger, so Jesus spoke plainly and explained to them their deception through Satan’s lies. (Amos 3:7) He plainly told them they were under their father the devil and doing his will. He warned them that the devil was a murderer from the beginning, as Cain killed Abel after the fall of man. They were blind to the light of Jesus and God’s Word because they were under the devil’s fatherhood and lying nature. Their deception was turning them into murderers because of the lie they believed. Only the truth would make them free! (John 8:32, 36)
Jesus taught that when God is our Father, we love Jesus! Jesus came from God as His only Son as One sent on a mission to reveal the Father and His amazing love for mankind. Jesus was sent to the Jews first, descendants of Abraham, but they could not bear to hear Jesus’ Words. They would need to humble themselves and repent of their murderous ways and their pride in clinging to the devil’s lies. They would have to confess and repent to receive God’s Fatherhood. Jesus laid out the Father’s world view to lead them to freedom from the devil’s lies.
Have you ever believed something so strongly that you hated anyone who would threaten that belief? Why was it hard for these religious people to hear Jesus’ plain but convicting truth? In what way was the devil behind the deception? Is this still the case in our modern culture?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Jesus as the ‘Light of the World’ to illuminate my heart through the truth of His Word. Thank you for drawing me to true repentance from the lies of the devil. Deliver me from the evil one today for Yours is the Kingdom and glory for ever and ever! Amen!
True disciples
Scripture reading for November 2nd: Ezekiel 22-24, Psalm 134, John 8
Key Scriptures: John 8:31-36 “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” They answered Him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly Truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.””
According to Jesus, true disciples abide in His Word. To abide means rest securely in Jesus Word, which is Truth. Knowing truth is the only way we can have faith. Faith comes from hearing Jesus’ Words and allowing them to abide in our hearts. Actions and good works will flow from Jesus’ Word. Real freedom is knowing and doing God’s will. Slavery is being bound by selfish lust and sin. Today we can choose freedom–forever! It is found in Jesus Christ, God’s Son Who is the Word made flesh.
Psalm 134:1-2 “Come bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord! Lift up your hands in the Holy Place and bless the Lord!”
Faith confession and prayer: I bless and honor You, Jesus my Lord, for the freedom of knowing and doing Your will. I will take in the Word of God and allow it to abide in me and produce good fruit, standing in the gap for Your will and freedom for a lost world.
Ezekiel 22:30 “And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.”
The Devil’s native language!
Scripture reading for May 16th: John 8:31-59
“To the Jews who had believed in 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 8:32-33) This simple statement by Jesus brought the discussion of who He was and who they were to a new level. To truly be a disciple of Jesus, each follower must hold to Jesus’ teaching. This teaching is ultimate truth that frees a person from sin and false religion. Every man is bound in his soul by lies and Jesus understood what was needed to be truly free. These Jews would need to face their own condition and come to grips with who they were really following.
The Jews who believed were offended that Jesus told them that they were slaves of sin. (John 8:34-35) They had believed that with Abraham as their father, they had an “in” with God. Jesus told them that their slavery to sin would keep them out of God’s family. It was only through a relationship with the Son that they could have adoption into God’s family. Jesus pointed out that they were trying to kill Him, something Abraham would never do. (John 8:37,40, 59)
“Why is My language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:43-44) Jesus plainly told them the truth about their inability to hear and their desire to kill Him. They were acting under the influence of the devil, who was their father!
This startling statement caused them to accuse Jesus of being demon possessed. Jesus told them He was not under the influence of a demon, but spoke truth to them that if they believed they would never die. (John 8:51) This again brought the crowd to the place where they wanted to stone Jesus. Jesus slipped away for it was not yet His time. Take a moment and examine your own heart. Are you believing in Jesus? It’s the only way to eternal life!