You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teaching. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

John 8:31-32 (CEB)

 

Many Christians have the idea that they need more teachings, but what they really need is to start practicing what they already know. There is obviously a role for sound doctrine, but we do not seek knowledge for the sake of knowledge alone. We seek knowledge for the sake of growing an abiding faith in Christ.

Jesus tells us that the reality of our freedom and transformation hinges on our ability to “know the truth”. The Greek word for “know” is ginōskō, and it is often used to describe the physical intimacy between a man and his wife. In other words, "knowing the truth" is about living out the reality of what is already ours in Christ in respect to His relationship with His Bride, the Church.

We live in a culture that cherishes freedom, but when it comes to defining what that means, our answers are varied, if not ambiguous. Most of the time, our so-called cultural philosophers and thinkers consider freedom as a goal of self-achievement rather than the outcome of the work of God. As a result, they are constantly promoting contradictory concepts or self-help ideas, none of which can be true at the same time. In other words, while the pursuit of knowledge can teach us about freedom, it cannot liberate us.

Only Jesus can give us true and complete freedom.

This is because, through His finished work on the cross, He paid the price for our freedom from sin. As such, the freedom He offers is a gift to be received rather than a goal to be attained.

The genuine freedom we enjoy in Christ differs from the false freedom that revolves around sin and temptation. This freedom is already ours and as we continue to practice living in the truth, we will start to see a shift toward better attitude and behavior through Christ working in us.