“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (NIV) John 8:32

Freedom brings peace, happiness and development. Due to this, mankind from the genesis of the world has always tried to be free from any form of subordination. The fall of man in the garden of Eden is a good example of man’s quest for freedom; free from the control of God (Genesis 3:5). A study of the history of man also reveals the struggles against oppression and for freedom. Many wars among nations, tribes, communities and families were all aimed at attaining some form of freedom.

As mankind yearns for freedom, there is the need for us to understand where true freedom can be found. True freedom is found in obeying the truth. And in Christianity, this truth is found only in the Word of God (Jesus Christ). This implies that just doing what you please, and following your impulse does not give true freedom. It causes anarchy in the church and the society at large. For true freedom to exit there must be some rules. Only the rules of truth make one free in the true sense of the term (John 8:32). The Word of God is the only truth mankind needs because it sets us free from many aspects of sin. Below are a few examples.

Truth frees us from the love of sin: “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (NIV) 1 John 2:15-17. What we love shows who we love. And when we understand the truth about what Christ has done for us, we will no longer love practicing sin. We will come to hate sin.

Truth frees man from the practice of sin such as evil thoughts as presented in Phil. 4:8 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.”

The truth admonishes us to “…guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (NIV) Prov. 4:23. Let us pray to God to create in us a clean heart and renew our spirits to know the truth of God (Psalms 51:10) and to live by the truth to enjoy freedom on earth and in heaven. Amen!

Faithfulness in marriage, purity in celibacy (Part 2) || More