Read John 8:31-38
Hi and welcome to this week’s Reedy’s Devotional Moments. In the movie A Few Good Men, there is a famous line. Colonel Nathan Jessep (played by Jack Nicholson) was on the stand in court and the pressure was being piled on by lawyer played by Tom Cruise who said in the heat of the moment “I want the truth” in which the Colonel fired right back saying “you can’t handle the truth”. Truth, what was considered as truth years ago has changed significantly over recent times. Social media and fake news have changed the narrative of truth so what I consider as truth you may not. This has particularly been highlighted throughout the pandemic when one group will say that this is the truth while another group would totally disagree.
These days truth is seen as “relative” meaning that it can differ according to individual viewpoints, and some would argue that there is no absolute truth. Jesus though thought differently. He boldly declared that He is the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6 NIV). He declares Himself to be the truth. On another occasion He said, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32 NIV). And so, for many of us Christians, we believe that Jesus’ teachings are truth and when we come in faith to accept them as absolute truth, then we will be set free. How this is taught may change these days, but one thing I do know is that people’s experiences are real and are often hard to argue against. For example, I know that when I put into practice Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness it frees me from being enslaved by the perpetrator’s grip over me or when I persist in prayer as Jesus taught, that I’m set free from worry and experience His peace that He’s got my concern. Most importantly I experience immense hope that I am saved because of my belief in what Jesus has done for me on the cross. No matter what those around you think of Christianity, keep believing in Jesus as the Truth and He will set you free.
Let’s pray. Father in Heaven. While many can’t handle the truth of the gospel, help me to keep trusting you and your ways. May the faith I have in you set me free from any attitudes or feelings that are not of you. Help me to love all people, including those who hold different beliefs to me, but in your time, may they discover freedom that only you can offer. In Christ name I pray. Amen.
David Moyes