don't ask Oprah
I was watching Oprah yesterday (I know, I know) and she was telling one of her guests who finally fessed up to something crazy that he did that "the truth will set you free." I chuckled because I thought, wow, how often do we grab a verse and make it work for our situation instead of grasping the context? I mean here, Oprah is telling someone that telling the truth will "set you free." Sure, honesty takes a load off. Allowing light to penetrate hidden areas of darkness in our hearts is a "freeing thing." But thats' not what this verse means. These verses explain a process, I believe. First, you continue in the word- abide in it, bathe in it, live it, love it, walk it out, wait for it, etc. By doing so, we prove that we are genuine followers of Christ, disciples. And as disciples, because we've bathed in the Word, we know the truth. We can tell something counterfeit because we've immersed ourselves in what is true. We can't be fooled, we can't be ensnared. Therefore, we are free from the trappings of sin. It has no power. Truth broke its grasp. Freedom is more than a clear conscience. I believe Jesus wants us to experience true freedom from sin and condemnation. And sure, to do so, we must be honest- authentic. But more than anything, I must abide. Continue. Live. Walk. Breathe. Bathe. You get the idea...
