"The Truth Shall Make You Free."

by McDonald, J. M. | Category: General | May 1954

The Lord Jesus said in John 8.34, "Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin," and in verse 36 He also said; "If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." Happy are they who can say in truth,

"My chains are snapt, the bonds of sin are broken,

And I am free!

Oh, let the triumph of His grace be spoken,

Who died for me!"

There is however another aspect of freedom which the believer may know and enjoy. We refer to the words of the Lord Jesus to those Jews which had believed Him, "If ye abide in My word, then are ye truly My disciples; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8.81, 32).

It is well that each believer on the Lord Jesus should ask, "Am I truly His disciple? " It is clear that we cannot be His disciples unless we abide in His word, for it is of those who abide in His word that He says, "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."

To abide in His word means more than hearing Him; it involves letting that word dwell in our hearts and control our actions.

Please read Colossians 3.16. If our hearts and minds are occupied and controlled by the word of Christ, then nothing can hinder us from knowing the truth.

What is the truth? In John 14.6 the Lord Jesus spoke of Himself as the Truth, and in John 17.17 He said to His Father, "Thy word is truth."

Those who desire to know the truth have the great example of the Lord Himself to follow in hearing and obeying God's words and commandments. See John 12.49, 50. It is evident that those who refuse to obey His words of truth cannot be enjoying the freedom that the truth can give. Sad to say, many children of God are ensnared in sects and denominations where they cannot enjoy this freedom, of which the Lord speaks.

The majority of those denominations deny the truth of the baptism of disciples though His commission to His disciples is plain

"All authority hath been given unto Me in heaven and on earth.

Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:. teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world (or, consummation of the age)" (Matthew 28. 18-20).

The word "baptism" means "dipping," so that it is wrong to substitute infant sprinkling for the baptism of disciples. To practise falsehood brings us into bondage, and all children of God ensnared in these things ought to, hear and obey the word of our blessed Lord and Master as already quoted from John 8.31, 32.

The question is often asked, Where is the truth to be found being practised to-day? We hasten to reply-Among those who are abiding in the word of the Lord. Study the Scriptures, read prayerfully and carefully the Acts of the Apostles, and learn how disciples were made, baptized and taught; also how they were brought together in various towns and cities as churches of God and linked together in one divine unity, expressed in the words of 1 Corinthians 1.9, "God is faithful, through whom ye were called into the Fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord."

It is also evident that the sects and systems of men, whilst they may practise some of the truths taught by the Lord, are more or less following the false teaching of men which brings them into bondage. As those who have been bought with a price we are exhorted, "Become not bondservants of men" (1 Corinthians 7.23). In Proverbs 23.23 we are told to "buy the truth, and sell it not." The price we may have to pay may be very high. It may cost us the loss of earthly friendships and earthly substance. It requires us to tread the path of separation from all that is contrary to the mind and will of the Lord, to hear and obey the call of 2 Corinthians 6.17, "Wherefore, Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you." To buy the truth leads us forward and upward; to sell the truth leads us backward and downward. Some say of those who are walking in the truth that they are too narrow-minded. This is entirely wrong. Whilst we tread the narrow way which leadeth unto life we have the assurance that our hearts and minds arc overflowing with real desire' to walk with the Lord, as all true disciples should do.

The truth has never been popular. In God's dealings with men in past ages only a few were obedient to the truth and in the present dispensation it is the same. Please read the warning words of 2 Timothy 4.3, 4:

"For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables."

We appeal to all not to be turned aside, nor to be entangled in any yoke of bondage but to hear and heed the Master's word,

"If ye abide in My word, then are ye truly My disciples; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free,'

McDonald, J. M. | May 1954
General