"And the one who sent me is with me—He has
not deserted me. For I always do what pleases Him." Then many who heard Him
say these things believed in Him. Jesus said to the people who believed in Him,
"You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And
you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John
8:29-32
Set Free! What are you in bondage to from
which you want to be set free? Are you a slave to food…eating whatever is handy
that pleases your taste buds? Are you addicted to television, sports, video
games, sex, gambling, alcohol, drugs, friends, or the mighty dollar? What is
your hang-up? I guess mine is food. Give me some chocolate in a fine cocoa bar
with almond slivers or some decadent brownies and I’ll feel like I’m in heaven…but
I can’t seem to stop with just one bite or one bar…I just keep on eating. My
mantra has been…if you don’t buy it, you won’t eat it. I’ve rationalized that I
need the chocolate to curb my low blood sugar. Ha. The truth is I don’t need
chocolate—but the truth is I want it. How does that apply to Jesus? Did He
always do what pleased His Father? Yes—even when He prayed in the Garden of
Gethsemane…let this cup pass from me…He still did His Father’s will. He remained
faithful to His Father. As we follow Jesus’ example, we remain faithful to His
teachings—and live to please Him—not to follow our addictions. Can we do that?
The truth will set us free. There is wisdom in that. Follow the Truth.
What is the truth? Jesus said... I am the way, the truth, and the life. No
one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6. There is no
falsehood—no lie—no make believe in the Truth. The Truth will set us free. Not
just knowing who Jesus is will provide us with the truth. We must establish a
relationship…really depend on Him. One way to see that there is a relationship—that
love is evident—is to be obedient. In a final dialog with His disciples, Jesus
said…If you love me, obey my
commandments. John 14:15.
Prayer
~ Jesus, fill me with Your Truth—for You are the Truth and I recognize that the
only way to live eternally is to have a relationship with You…not just to know
who you are. Thank you for showing me The Truth—for I rely on You. I read Your
word and wait patiently to hear Your guidance for my life. I am set free. Free
to have a healthy temple—my body—for the Holy Spirit. Free to obediently follow
You…to live in a way that pleases You and our Father.
© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT)
unless otherwise noted.
No comments:
Post a Comment