JRM Sison Chapter - Teachings - The Truth Shall Make You Free

To know. Many people today discard the true meaning of “know”. In a strict sense, to know is more than just knowing; more than just allowing oneself to familiarize with what you want to know. For example, you want to learn to drive a car. Before you can learn, you have to know the principles behind the ability of the car to move; you must know the use of the three pedals, the shift stick, the wheel, the horn, etc. Thus, learning begins with knowing. And knowing begins with familiarizing. But as it turns out, as you begin to excel in driving, you begin to feel the car; you begin to be one with the car; you and the car begin to have unity. Thus, familiarizing releases unity. To sum it up, knowing is all about unity.

Adam Knew Eve. Gen 4:1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived. The beauty of the King James Bible is that it connects the reader deeper in understanding the Scriptures. In this verse, we can see how KJB uses “knew” in connection to physical union (Gen 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.). As you can see, the effect of Adam knowing Eve is conception. To know then is not only about unity but also about conceiving something.

John 8:32 states that if we continue in the words of Jesus then shall we begin to know the truth. The effect of knowing the truth is that it shall make us free. Free from what? We will discuss that later; let us first finish on the word “know”. Here, in this verse, Jesus clearly illustrates how to know the truth. If we hear and apply God’s words then we become the disciples of Jesus Christ. And through His discipleship we begin to absorb and know the truth. It is no accident that Jesus introduced the word “know” in search for the truth. After all, Jesus Christ is the Word. Jesus wants us to familiarize with the truth. He wanted us to become united with the truth. Through this union can we begin to conceive what we really need and truly wanted; to be free. That is the true objective of all men; freedom from whatever bondage they are in.

What Is Truth? Ever considered why Jesus said “shall make you free” and not “will make you free”? Many Christians today has skin deep knowledge about the truth. But before we move on, what is truth? In John 18:38, Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” Like Pilate, most Christians are confused about what truth is. Jesus clearly stated in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus then is the truth. Pilate was asking “what is truth” in front of THE TRUTH! Let us dig deeper; in Revelation 19:13 & 16, Jesus is described as The Word of God. Thus, if Jesus is the truth and Jesus is The Word of God then The Word of God is the truth! Christians are asking “what is truth” in front of THE TRUTH which is the Bible! To know the truth is to read the Bible; to know the Bible is to allow the Holy Spirit to unite us with God’s Word. Thus, God’s Word is the one that will set us free. I chose “will” instead of “shall” because we already know what truth is

The Truth Will Make Us Free. The union of Christians and the truth bring forth conception. And this conception is about freedom. And like any conception there are complications. If we consider the physical aspect of conception, pain and suffering will cross our minds; negative things will dominate our hearts. Like most women who don’t want to be pregnant, Christians don’t want to conceive due to the negative aspects of conception. But mothers who are pregnant think differently; they await their child to be born. Despite the hardships of conceiving the baby and the labor of giving birth, what are set in their hearts are their beautiful babies.

For Christians who are having difficulties in their abilities to know the truth, here are some set guidelines:
     ·     Teach Yourself - 2 Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. The secret in acquiring knowledge is to study. Christians must study God’s word. We must have Technical Education About Christian Harmony. We must push ourselves to study in able to prove ourselves not only to God but also to our fellowmen.
     ·     Respond to the Teaching - James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. Most Christians like to read and hear God’s Word. But they are frightened to follow. They are scared that their friends and relatives might mock them and put them to shame. They are afraid that they are going to lose their positions/authority and riches. Most Christians don’t want to have any part on the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19-20; they put that burden on the shoulders of their pastors.
     ·     Understand the Effects of the Response - James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. Sometimes the response on what we studied is negative. We can’t understand why we have to do it. But as James have perfectly put it, if you don’t do what you know is good then you have sinned.
     ·     Trust in the Lord - Prov 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. The most used verse in the Bible but also the most neglected one. We always teach or encourage others using this verse but sometimes (if not most of the time) we don’t live on what we preach. As I always say, “Preach on what you live not live on what you preach.” To believe in God is one thing, but to trust in God is another. Put your trust in the Lord and let miracles happen in your lives.
     ·     Harmony with the Holy Spirit - John 17:21-23 ²¹ That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. ²² And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: ²³ I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. The ultimate result of knowledge is harmony. If you know an object or subject well, you have no problem in explaining it or using it because you are in harmony with it. In short, you are one with it. Allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life and be made perfect in unity with God.

Freedom of Choice. God is a God of order and peace. The reason why some prayers are not met by God is due to our own mistakes; mistakes that pertain to our petitions and not on how we live. We are given freedom of choice by God. Like the lame beggar asking for alms in the gate called Beautiful during the apostles’ time (Acts 3:2-11); he needed to be healed but what he was asking was different from what he truly needed; he needed healing yet he settled for something less. The lame beggar was bound with his lameness and he needed to be freed. Then Peter and John passed by and saw him. The story might go like this (you must try to read between the lines); as the lame beggar asked for alms, Peter and John stopped and taught him about Jesus Christ; how He healed the sick. They were giving the lame beggar hope; hope that was lost long ago because of his ailment. Although he was given hope, still he wanted alms and couldn’t look straight in their eyes; he was ashamed for what he was. Then, Peter said, “Look on us” (v.4). When the lame beggar looked unto the eyes of Peter, he saw something different; he was used on seeing eyes making a fool out of him; but what he was looking at was different; they were eyes of surety, truthfulness, honesty and love. That was the time he made a choice; he wanted to be freed from his bondage; he knew the truth, the truth that Peter and John had spoken; the truth that is Jesus Christ. And immediately, as easily as Peter has lifted him up by his hand, he was healed; the Truth has made him free. Oh, how great and magnificent is the works of the Lord our God!

Brethren, is any thing too hard for the Lord (Gen 18:14)? Do you have problems that you can’t bear? Do you think that the answers to your problems are impossible to achieve? With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible (Mark 10:27). It is time, my brethren, to use our faith. As the lame beggar was given hope, God’s perfect Word in His perfect Book is giving us hope in Christ Jesus our Lord. Believe and trust in God. Read His Word and be united with Jesus Christ and surely you will be made free.