Articles
Disciples Indeed; Free Indeed
Humans tend to underperform while still desiring or even expecting full benefit. This was a trait seemingly hardwired in Jewish thinking which made Jesus skeptical of their belief. John 8 tells of crowds reacting favorably to Jesus’ teaching: “many believed in Him” (8:30). Unconvinced, Jesus replied: “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed” (8:31). Jesus distinguishes between a marginal or even pseudo-disciple and a genuine one. Truly practicing what Jesus teaches is the mark of a true disciple.
But then Jesus adds a remarkable promise: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (8:32). Just as there is pseudo-discipleship, there is also pseudo-freedom. The Jews should have been overjoyed at such a promise! But no, they fancied themselves as already free. Their indignant response: “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone” (8:33). Surely they had not forgotten Egyptian slavery or the Babylonian deportation. They are saying: “We have the Law of Moses, and that guarantees our relationship with Jehovah. We have no need for the new doctrine you are peddling.”
Jesus, however, presses His point: “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin … If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (8:34, 36). Jesus unapologetically ties His word, and practicing it, to true forgiveness and ultimate spiritual freedom. How demented if not true! Here is a partial list of other related freedoms that truth brings:
Freedom from fear. Truth informs us that “the Lord is at hand” or near to us (Ph 4:5-7). Thus, we should be “anxious for nothing.” Fear is paralyzing. It takes our focus off God and magnifies the threat.
Freedom from persecutors. Truth informs us that we must honor God and obey Him above all else (Mt 10:28-31). If that is priority #1, we will be tremendously empowered. We will possess a moral resolve that will not buckle under pressure.
Freedom from despair.Truth informs us that even though evil abounds in this world and seems to hold the upper hand, God governs it and will eventually judge it (Ac 17:30-31; 2 Th 1:6-10). There is an ebb and flow to wickedness in human affairs, partially due to God allowing free will to operate followed by punishment when that free will generates great evil. Where our own generation may be on that continuum is really beside the point. God expects us to be faithful, shine as lights in the world, defend the name of His Son, and accept the consequences of commitment no matter what it costs us. No need for despair; God will take care of us.
Freedom from futility. Truth informs us that God has created this universe with purpose (Eph 3:8-13). In contrast, the meaninglessness of atheism crushes the spirit of man. It asserts that man is just the result of mindless chance with no overarching meaning, no ultimate justice, no eternal existence … just a grinding life of hard labor broken by fleeting moments of joy, sandwiched in between heartache and tragedy, followed by death. And then … nothing. But Paul urges us to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor 15:58); “let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Gal 6:9).
Ignorance and deception are bondage of the worst sort, far more torturous than the stocks or the dungeon, for they enslave the mind, shackle the spirit, and drain away our true worth. But in Jesus and His word there is freedom! Ah, what a happy, comforting, empowering word!
