John 8:32, You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
These words of Jesus are not only among the most quoted; they are also among the most misquoted or misapplied. I’ve heard them used on a sports broadcast when one announcer corrects another.
Jesus said something similar in 8:12 when early one morning some scribes and Pharisees brought him a woman caught in the act of adultery. He prevented them from stoning her. Then he said to them, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. Like the pillar in the desert Jesus, as the light of the world, draws people out of the darkness of death. He is the one and only light that draws us to the light of life.
Similarly, remaining in Jesus’ words gives knowledge, that is, experience of truth. The truth is the content of the words of Jesus. The content of His words is that he, and only he, frees from the slavery to sin. Slavery to sin is the condition of anyone who commits sin. The only way to be free from slavery to sin is to know the truth, which is the good news of Jesus, who is the truth himself.
Lord, keep me faithful to your word of truth that I may be set free from slavery to sin and live in your light free of the darkness of death. Amen.
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