Life, Truth, and Freedom: John 8:31-36 - Reformation Sunday

Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, 'You will be made free'?" Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. (NRSV)

Throughout the pandemic, I’ve asked nearly every healthcare worker I know: how many Covid-19 patients are you seeing? How bad are the cases? Are things better or worse than they were when the pandemic began?

To me, the most reliable sources of information about the pandemic are the people who deal with it every day. But I also trust them to tell me the truth. I can’t say the same about politicians and the media. 

So, who do you trust to tell you the truth? And not just concerning Covid-19, but when you face life’s most critical decisions and life-altering situations? Truth is a matter of life and death. But truth is never as simple and clear-cut as we’d like it to be. 

For starters, the world is full of voices who tell you exactly what you want to hear. 

“You can have it all if you believe this, buy that, vote for me. You can unlock the secrets of the universe to make all your dreams come true if you buy my book or send me money. 

Pride is that little voice inside your head, telling you that everything you do is right; everything you believe is right; that you know everything you need to know; and nothing about you needs to change.

On the other hand, there are many voices that aren’t so friendly—but still believable…

You wonder, “why are other Christians so happy and prosperous while I’m struggling and suffering?” Some will say, it’s because you don’t have enough faith, or you haven’t given enough money. 

Anxiety and depression are hostile voices constantly telling you, “you’re no good. Nobody loves you. Don’t bother trying, because you’ll fail. God only helps those who help themselves.  

But listen to the truth God’s word proclaims from our second reading from Romans:

No human being is righteous before God by their own reason or strength.

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. 

BUT—

All are made righteous before God as a gift through the blood of Jesus. 

These are the truths we live by as children of God! Jesus frees us from the evil we do to ourselves and each other. His righteousness cleanses our unrighteousness. His death frees us from death. What we cannot do for ourselves, Jesus did. What we could not attain, Jesus gave. No one is beyond accountability, but no one is beyond redemption.

For us, the cross is the focal point of all truth. In the cross, there is life and freedom. Apart from the cross, there is only death. Therefore, to know the truth and the freedom it gives, Jesus says “you must continue in my word.” You must hear the Gospel every day, because the world is so chaotic and confusing; the flesh is so weak, the pain is so strong, and the pride so deceiving. If pride and selfish ambition don’t alienate you from God, fear will. In these times especially, it isn’t enough to check-in with God every now and then. The lies and deceptions are so appealing, so compelling, and so convincing—that you need God’s truth every day, so that you see yourself and your neighbor as God sees… So that God can set your troubled heart and troubled mind at peace… So that God can guide and direct your ways when you don’t know the way… So that God may free you from yesterday’s sorrows and regrets into a renewed life.

It doesn’t matter how old you get, how many books you read, or how much life you experience. No one can ever fully know the truth or live in the truth. You need to be taught. And a big part of growth in grace is God challenging your beliefs and convictions; bringing change to how you live; giving you new perspectives on life and situations. 

And yet, when pride and selfish ambition lead you astray, God forgives. In the moment of decision, when you don’t know which path to choose, God’s presence goes with you either way. When sorrow and fear break your heart and shatter your spirit, God makes you alive again.

This is what freedom is: it’s not up to you. What you cannot do for yourself, Jesus does. What you could not attain, Jesus gives. When you stumble and fall, Jesus forgives. 

There is no truth under heaven and on earth more important than Christ crucified and risen, for you. 

“Continue in my word,” Jesus says. So who will you trust to tell you the truth? Not the pundits and politicians who believe they’re infallible; not the advertisers persuading you to buy; not the words of pride puffing you up or fear breaking you down. Jesus’s Word. The truth that sets you free.