Truth and Freedom

I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.

Psalm 119:45

What is truth? Pilate asked Jesus this question at His trial. (John 18:37) It’s a question that many people have asked throughout the centuries. Perhaps you are asking that very question today. What is truth? If someone proclaims something as truth does that make it real truth? Can truth change from decade to decade? Jesus told Pilate that He came into the world to testify of truth. He said, Everyone on the side of truth listens to me (John 18:37).

Earlier, Jesus addressed religious leaders who believed they were superior in their knowledge of truth. He 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 8:31-32). Jesus is the source of truth. Truth is found in Jesus’ teachings and in the complete, inspired, and eternal Word of God. (Psalm 119:89, 160, 2 Peter 1:20-21)

The religious leaders believed the Old Testament scriptures, but they didn’t believe in Jesus, who is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Therefore, Jesus identified them as being enslaved. Unknowingly, they were imprisoned by untruth.

Today many people are imprisoned by untruth. They follow their own beliefs, thinking they are on the path of freedom. Yet, they base their lives upon that which is shifting. Opinions change. What’s “true” today may not be “true” tomorrow. And so, those who hold to shifting truths are enslaved by confusion and instability. Those who reject God’s truth are also enslaved by sin and death.

Jesus is the Truth Who sets men free. Those who base their lives upon Jesus and God’s unchanging Word are eternally secure. Those who follow Jesus are set free from insecurity, set free from the power of sin, and set free from spiritual death.

Do chains of untruth enslave you, or are you free because you believe the Truth? Truth and freedom are a couple that cannot be separated!

We praise You, Jesus, as the Truth that sets us free!

Jan Burkhart