Dallas Willard, a renowned theologian, spent 48 years as a professor of philosophy at USC. On his building was inscribed the well-known phrase from John, “the truth will set you free.” In fact many universities have this inscribed somewhere, because it sounds like a wonderful celebration of education. But Willard often lamented the fact that his intellectual colleagues completely missed the point. The saying is strictly tied to Jesus, who said knowing the truth and being set free can only come from abiding in his word and holding to his teaching. How tragic that so many people ignore that first part and miss the very place that truth comes from!
When we say Christ is the truth, we mean he himself is literally the truth. He is the centerpiece that ties all the world’s mysteries together. The purpose of our lives, the hope in the midst of suffering, the guide for how we ought to live our lives and be happy are all found in Christ and nowhere else. No wonder it’s so big a deal to abide in his word.
But then that explains how sin leaves people in the bondage of slavery. Sin is everything against the truth of Christ. Sin binds us to our addictions to the desires of the flesh, desires which never fully satisfy and ultimately cause us only death. Sin deceives us into thinking it’s all we want, but in reality, we’re missing out on all the blessings available in Christ for us.
But if we abide in Jesus’ teachings—only if we abide in them—we will know the truth, and the truth will set us free. And that great freedom, which enriches and fulfills our very humanity, is the sweetest thing human beings will ever get to experience.
Heed Jesus’ warning: no family relation, no worldly status, no religious affiliation or heritage seals you in salvation and freedom. Those that are free are those that know the truth for themselves. It is a sweet moment of release when we recognize our sin to be a prison of deception and destruction and then turn our soul’s foundational reliance on Christ instead. Be free from that prison. Know the truth of Christ and be free.
