18/12/2022 - WHAT MAKES US FREE

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And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8.32

It’s necessary to pay attention to the Word of the Lord. Nothing is there by chance or through anyone’s irresponsibility, but rather as a lesson for us to do the Father’s will and enjoy His promises. He declares: Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth (Deuteronomy 28.1). We must listen to Him!

The conditions for us to know the Truth are in the verse before the one we are studying, when God called the attention of those who believed in Him: If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed (John 8.31b). Whoever goes to Him to be saved or to solve his problems must become His disciple, a knower of the Truth. Whoever does not abide in the Word will never be freed from oppressions.

The devil overcomes the Christian when he does not strive to be a real follower of the Lord. The false learner does not believe the Scriptures. When faced with a trial, he uses means different from those taught by the Master. The legitimate servants, on the other hand, reveal themselves when they are tested or tempted: And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour (Acts 16.18). What do you say about this?

When we pray and we are not answered, something serious may be happening to us. In some cases, it’s the lack of biblical knowledge, thus, faith is not present in us. But it may be that we are disconnected from the Lord by some sin practiced consciously or unconsciously (Isaiah 59.1,2). Of one thing we can be sure: God is faithful at all times (2 Timothy 2.13). The follower of Christ must do his or her part regarding faithfulness to the Lord and His commandments. Be faithful even unto death! (Revelation 2.10).

Seeing His disciples with sorrowful hearts, the Lord told them not to stay like that. If they believed in God, they had to believe in Him too. He said that in the Father’s house there were many mansions, and that He would prepare a place to receive us. Christ warned that He would return to take us there, because we would be where He was. Soon after, the Savior declared that they knew where He was going and that they already knew the way (John 14.1-4).

Thomas then declared that he did not know where Jesus was going, nor did he know the way. Then, Christ spoke to him clearly: I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14.6b). In this explanation, it is evident that people will only be delivered by divine operation. Therefore, never stop seeking the Lord in the Scriptures. When you learn something from the Bible, you find yourself close to the Son.

Jesus was preparing the disciples for the hour of His departure from Earth, after He had spoken of the work of salvation. Then Philip made a request: Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us (John 14.8). He answered him: Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (v. 9). The Lord revealed more than Philip has asked Him for? He and the Father are One! 

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares