Follow the Light: Day 8 - The Light of Life and Liberty
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“So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’"
John 8:31-32 (NASB)
Most people are familiar with the expression – The truth will set you free. Truth is the light that liberates us from the darkness in our lives. But, if you do not walk in the light of God’s truth, it will never make you free. It’s the truth you know that liberates you. How do you know the truth? John tells us in chapter 8 of his gospel. In verse 31, he records that Jesus was speaking to the people who believed in Him when He said, “If you continue in My Word, THEN you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (Vs. 31-32 NASB)
Before we can experience the freedom that the truth brings, we must put our faith in Jesus and continue to abide or remain in His Word. When we do that, we are being guided by His light. His Word is truth. When we put our faith in Him and remain in His Word, we show that we truly are His disciples. The benefit of our time with Him in His Word is liberating – we will know the truth and the truth will make us free! We will be free to love, free from the bondage of sin and guilt, free to forgive, free to live the life God intended us to live! We’re no longer lost in the bondage of darkness and sin.
The woman in John chapter 8 who was caught in the act of adultery and exposed publicly by the religious leaders to Jesus would experience that freedom when she found forgiveness and acceptance in Christ! The religious leaders knew of Jesus’ popularity among the common people and thought this would surely end it, as not even Jesus would violate the Law of God to save this immoral woman. But their efforts to trap Him only provided an opportunity for Jesus to shed light on the real problem of sin in the human heart. “When they kept on questioning Him, He straightened up and said to them, ‘Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’” John 8:7 (NIV) Who among us is without sin? We’ve all bought the lie that we can live without God and be free. That’s why we all need what only Jesus can provide, forgiveness and salvation.
Jesus didn’t condone what the woman did but neither did He condemn her. There were plenty of other people around her doing that! Grace and truth came not from the Law that condemns but from Christ alone who sets the sinner free! His light exposed the basic need we all have for forgiveness. John 8:9 (NIV) says, “At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.”
His light not only exposes our sin, but our need for Him, for His love and forgiveness. When we come to the light and follow the light, it liberates our soul! Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NIV)
Meditate on verses 31 & 32 as you read today, and experience real freedom from the hurts, habits and hang-ups in your life. Read John 8 now and keep following the Light!
Printed copies of the Follow the Light devotional are available at Follow the Light — Kerry Shook Ministries.