What does the "truth shall set you free" mean?

It is a common saying among many that the truth shall set you free. But where does this statement comes from? This statement was not made by confucius, Mohammed, Buddha or a popular philosopher out there. This statement can only be found in the bible and was specifically spoken by our Lord and Master Jesus Christ. 

It is written in the gospel of John: And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free-- John 8; 32

Now, that we know the etymology of the statement, I will employ all of my powers to effectively communicate the meaning of what Jesus meant by what he said that, "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free".

Let us examine the context 

"So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never yet 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 commits sin is the slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed--John 8: 31-36

We can deduce from the passage the kind of liberty which Jesus was speaking about. He wasn't talking about political or civil liberty, but a spiritual freedom from the domineering power and penalty of sin. Whoever rejects the gospel is enslaved to sin, for sin has hardened their hearts that they reject the message which can save their soul.

Which truth can set you free?

The only truth which can set a sinner free is the truth of the gospel of Christ. The moment you exercise saving faith in Christ, that selfsame hour you are free from sin and death. The truth of the gospel is what saves sinners from condemnation, for it is written: Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus-- Romans 8; 1.

The truth of the gospel saves sinners from the dominating power of sin-- For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace-- Romans 6; 14

The truth of the gospel saves sinners from the impending wrath of God: Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life-- Romans 5; 9-10

Jesus was saying to his immediate audience that the truth which they are to know and can set them free is to believe from their hearts who he claimed to be: "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins"-- John 8; 24

Jesus said to the crowd especially the Pharisees, "for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins". ''I am He'', is a name which belongs exclusively to God in the old testament, and Jesus here applied the divine name to himself, implying equality with God. This tells us that faith in the deity of Christ is essential to salvation, lest you will die in your sins.

Liberty is not a license to sin

I love the reasoning of apostle Peter in his epistle to the brethren in the various churches: "Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond-slaves of God"-- 1 Peter 2; 16. As free men, as men saved from sin, it behooves us to use our liberty as an occasion to serve one another in love, see also (Galatians 5; 13).

As born again Christians, let us not turn the grace of God into licentiousness, lest we will give the unbelievers out there the ground to malign the gospel of Christ. Instead, let us use our liberty as an occasion to walk in love, and to abound in good works for the glory of God. Amen

A thought to ponder 🤔 

As free men, as men saved from sin, it behooves us to use our liberty as an occasion to serve one another in love

We defend and exposit the truth of the gospel

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