Faithbase

Maybe you've heard this phrase before, then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. That's actually used in a lot of contexts, completely out of scriptural context. This is John eight, and the whole phrase is actually quite fascinating in related to what we're talking about. Jesus says, if you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples, then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. The ESV puts it this way, if you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples. This does not mean meditate. This is why I use the New Living Translation so often, because it really helps us understand a phrase. It says, 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. Freedom is a wonderful goal. Truth is a beautiful thing to receive, but in order to receive the truth, we need to remain faithful to what Jesus asks us to do. You remain faithful to his teachings. His teachings are instructive, a way to be navigated through life. When we say yes to Jesus, it is not just an intellectual exercise. It is a yes to follow Jesus, much like the disciples, leaving all of their entire livelihood to go follow him, and whatever it is that Jesus asked them to do. Faith enacted is a response. What has the Lord been speaking to you in this series? A couple ideas here, I've been thinking about what are ways that we are challenged to live differently by God's grace and in his kingdom. While we're challenged to give food and water to those who are in need, to give shelter to those who have none, to be kind to the homeless, to visit those in prison. Maybe we could just look at the Beatitudes and just go down the laundry list of things here. Don't harbor anger in your heart towards your neighbor. In fact, go make it right. Don't look at women or men lustfully, right? Pray in your closet in secret, give in secret. Don't worry about tomorrow, trust in God. Seek first the kingdom, go the extra mile. Don't judge the people around you. Build your life on Jesus's teachings. What are ways that you need to maybe love God with your whole heart and your whole mind and all of your strength? Maybe that means reading scripture regularly. Maybe that means spending more time with the people at church. What does it look like to love your neighbor as yourself? Does that look like leading with patience and kindness? Does that look like putting your knowledge and your insight to one side and loving them first? Maybe it looks like putting your agenda second. Maybe it looks like laying down your life, taking up your cross. What does that look like for you? I pray that this series has been good. We're gonna be stepping into a series about stewardship. I'm excited. It's all new, brand new content for me. So I'm excited to share that with you. God bless you guys. And I pray that you find yourself living a life full of faithfulness and God will show himself faithful to you. Peace.