John 8:31-32
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him,
“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
I love this time of year. I love the sights and sounds, and I love the message of hope and joy. But sometimes it seems like along with the message of love, the world feels the need to interject a message of its own. If you turn on the news or skim over social media, you will hear people tell you that you are “doing it wrong.” Did you spend too much on holiday shopping? You did it wrong. Did you overindulge in holiday treats? You did that wrong. Are you getting sick? You are doing something wrong. Now, I know that many of the “doing it wrong” messages are intended to be helpful, but do these messages motivate and inspire us? Do they pour over our hearts and bring comfort in the darkness or peace in despair?
This is supposed to be the season of hope, and naturally we find that hope in the Word. Jesus gives us an amazing message in John 8:31-32. He invites us to live and dwell in His word – to be residents of His Kingdom while we live on this Earth. It is an uncomplicated invitation. He reaches out to us personally, calling us to live with Him and in Him. He says that if we attend to His words of life and His truths of hope, if we accept His teaching of love and grace, we belong to Him. What a great message!
He then adds something to the promise. He says that in this relationship, we will know the truth. But what is the truth He speaks of? The truth is that you are loved with an everlasting, unconditional love! If you have a hard time conceptualizing that, it’s because it’s a love like no other love you have ever know. You are precious to Him. You are chosen, beloved, and adored. You are loved so much by God that He gave His best and most cherished perfect gift for you so that you could live with Him forever – now and eternally. In His word, He describes this love in no uncertain terms. In Zephaniah, He says He “takes great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, and He will rejoice over you with singing.” These are promises for YOU. They are not just reserved for the people who are “doing it right.” There are not conditions to His love, no hoops you have to jump through, no strings that are attached.
And then Jesus promises that the truth will set you free. You are free to trust and to hope, even in the darkness and when things seem impossible. You are free to know and believe that God listens to your cries and acts on your behalf. You are free to know that every problem you have is important to God and is under His control. You are free to worship Him and to know that your sins are forgiven. You are free to resist the deceiver when he tries to convince you that none of this is true. When you recognize the depth of Jesus’ love, you are free to turn away from the areas of your life where you are “doing it wrong” and know that He will provide the strength and power for that change. What a great message! And it’s all for you.
Lord God, Your love is so deep and wide, I can’t even begin to comprehend it. Thank You for loving me unconditionally and for daily forgiving and renewing me. Help me to abide in your word as You abide in my heart. Help me to remember and live by the amazing truths that You have given to set me free. In Jesus’ name I pray…AMEN.
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