New Wine - Day 27

John 8:31-32  To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

Today, we are going to take a good hard look and listen to some incredibly clear and serious words of our Master Teacher/Rabbi Jesus. These words are probably some of the most well known of His sayings. Especially, by people who don't know He was the One Who said them! In fact, some of the words we are going to look at are etched into stone, concrete, and walls at universities and the halls of academia.
 
Maybe you have heard them, "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." 
Am I right? Have you heard these words before? Are you aware of them being spoken and/or written outside of the context of the Bible, or not in connection with Jesus as the source? Maybe you have heard of The University of Southern California (USC)? It is a very prestigious university and well known in America and abroad. This statement, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free," is engraved on the main exterior wall of the building on campus where the department of philosophy resides.

The challenge, or unfortunate mistake, is that millions of people don't know this is a statement made by Jesus! And, it is probably the most incomplete and misquoted quote in the history of civilization! (In my opinion). But, Jesus says, if we hold to His teachings, then we are really His disciples, and we will know the truth, AND the truth will set us free! The truth is directly connected to knowing and following Jesus, by taking everything He said and did seriously and banking every bit of our life (past, present, and future) on it ... and Him. According to Jesus we won't know the truth He is speaking of, unless we are His disciples and hold to/abide in Him and His Word.
 
JOURNAL

1. What do you think about the ‘complete’ version of this quote and what Jesus is really saying?
2. Is there any area of your life where you think you might be looking for truth outside of Jesus
3. If you believe Jesus is completely capable and competent to lead you in every area of your life, tell Him.  Now, enjoy the peace of God that comes in resting in His reign.