John 8:31-32 (KJV) 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
The truth shall make you free! What a statement—and how popular it is! Even on secular TV programs, people can be heard quoting this scripture with no clue as to its meaning.
But, is this really true? Does the truth really make you free? Not in itself. Hold on. I’m going to explain this and it’ll be good.
To really benefit from this verse, you have to read it in context. Jesus said that if you continue in His Word, then you shall know the truth and that truth that you know will make you free. That’s how you become a disciple of the Lord Jesus – by continuing in His Word. It’s more than a “nod to God” as you’re heading out the door in the morning. It’s a continual awareness of God’s Word that permeates every cell of your being!
Just quoting scripture doesn’t set anyone free. Jesus said He was the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We also know that God and His Word are One and that Jesus is the Word. Right?
So, putting it altogether, we can legitimately say that the Word you know and are intimately acquainted with, will indeed make you free as you act on it.
I know I’ve said a mouthful, so let me reiterate. Since Jesus is the Truth and the Word, we can say that knowing His Word will make you free.
Let’s look at the Word KNOW. This is not mental assent but rather a heart knowledge of the Word. According to Vine’s Expository dictionary of New Testament Words, the word know implies an active relation between the one who knows and the person or thing known.
In Sparkling Gems by Rick Renner, to know something means that it must be recognized, acknowledged, and understood. This is mandatory, not optional. So, when this word – know – is used, it means that we are to pay close attention and do it.
Jesus is telling us that in order to truly be His disciples, we must continue in His Word, having an active relationship between us and the Word. Then, as we continue in the Word that we know, having gotten it down into our hearts, that Word will make us free because we’ll be doers of the Word and not hearers only! You can only act on what you actually know.
Brothers and sisters, it’s imperative in these last days to fill ourselves with God’s Word – actively arm ourselves with the Word. That way we’ll be ready for anything that comes our way and we won’t fall apart like a $2 suitcase!
Our loving, gracious Father has so provided for us through His Word that we need not fear. We need to take our stand and fight the good fight of faith. We’re more than conquerors through Jesus – the Word – by using our faith!
John 14:6 (KJV) 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV) 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
1 Timothy 6:12 (KJV) 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Romans 8:37 (KJV) 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
1 John 5:4 (KJV) 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Jeremiah 1:12 (AMP) 12 Then said the Lord to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.
Isaiah 55:11 (KJV) 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
— Pamela
Pamela Moyle Ministries 