Truth Sets You Free

Truth Sets You Free

John 8:32 “You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

On this Memorial Day weekend we affirm that we are a nation under God and freedom is worth fighting and dying for. When we pledge allegiance to the American flag we believe we are a nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Today we remember and honor all who have sacrificed their lives so we enjoy the freedom to worship without fear of persecution.

Our Declaration of Independence declares that all people “are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among those are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” We live in a country founded on the principles of freedom. For the past 235 years America has been led for the most part by men and women of moral principles.

Benjamin Franklin inaugurated a time of prayer before the meetings of congress.

William Penn became a devout Quaker and insisted on fair treatment of the Indians.

Noah Webster gave 36 years of his life in the development of the American Dictionary. At the age of 40 Webster started taking his Christian Faith seriously. He became a devout student of the bible. Before he died at age 85 he quoted to a close friend the words of the apostle Paul, “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12

Abraham Lincoln had a firm faith in God and regularly read the Bible. His speeches flowed with quotations from the Bible. Colfax, who became Vice President, said Lincoln would often get up at 4 AM so he would have time to read the Bible before visitors came to the White House.

At the very center of our Christian Faith is the belief that God's Word contains truth and truth sets us free. John 8:31-36 Jesus told the people that they were His disciples if they obeyed his teachings. “And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

The people argued that under Moses they were set free from bondage and didn't need to be set free again. Jesus declared that were in bondage of sin and slaves to sin. Being descendents of Abraham did not set them free from the bondage of sin.

Just because you were born into a Christian family doesn't automatically set you free from sin. You need to know the truth and Jesus said He is the Truth, the Way and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through the person of Jesus.

If you're here today and don't have that assurance of being set free from the bondage of sin, I'll explain later how you can be set free.

What Is Truth?

You may ask, like Pilate when Jesus was on trial, “What is truth?” Jesus told Pilate that He was born to bring truth to the world. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” What is truth? Pilate asked.” John 18:37-38

The dictionary defines “Truth” as a fixed or established principle of law.” Is Jesus a truth or the truth? Is Jesus one among many truths or the truth? All religions present their principles and truths like Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism or Christianity. The primary difference: you can take the spiritual leaders out of all religions except Christianity and still have a religion. If you take Jesus out of Christianity you have no religion. Christianity is not a religion it is a Person.

For other world religions the key word is “Do”. Do certain works and earn your way to paradise. For the Christian the key word is “Done.” Jesus had completed the way of salvation through his life, death, and resurrection.

Islam teaches that Allah is revealed through the prophets including Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. The greatest prophet that ever lived was Muhammad. To achieve a place in paradise as a faithful Muslim needs to be committed to the five pillars of faith.

1. Thee is no god expect Allah.

2. Muhammad is Allah's prophet.

3. Pray five times a day and give to the poor

4. Celebrate the yearly feast of Ramadan

5. Take one trip to Mecca in your lifetime.

According to Islam Allah will judge each person at death according to the good or evil a person has done in life.

The heaven of Islam is a paradise of pleasure, wine, women and song

Here is a historical fact: Abraham, Buddha, Confuses, Muhammad, died and were buried, end of story. Jesus died, buried, and rose again, the beginning of the story. Moses could meditate on the law, Muhammad could brandish a sword, Buddha could give personal counsel, Confucius could offer wise sayings, but none of these men were qualified to offer an atonement for the sins of the world...Christ alone is worthy of unlimited devotion and service.