Freedom and Peace
Jesus said, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” He also said He is “the way, the truth and the life…” This means that Jesus is the only real truth and as we come to know Him we know the truth. In knowing Him, we know His truth and we become free. The implied meaning of this is that without Christ we are in bondage to that which is not true – in bondage to a Body of Truth we have created based on our own unique experience and our own self-driven opinions.
At Phillipians 4: 6-9 we read:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (7) And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. (9) The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Knowing the truth is a prerequisite for experiencing the peace of God. Knowing the truth is also foundational in a Christian’s ability to experience and produce the fruits of the Spirit found in Galations 5:22-23 (Love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control). The scripture immediately following this list of fruits is one we must not overlook. It is the way the fruit is made possible. Galations 5:24 states: “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Our passions and desires are rooted in the sin nature and are sustained by the lies we are so willing to believe. Christian maturity demands that these lies be put to death and replaced by things that are really true in Christ.
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