Ever seen a movie where the actors are in a heated conversation, and Tom Cruise as the lawyer wants answers and then says he wants the truth? Jack Nicholson sitting on the witness stand responded equally as heated “you can’t handle the truth”.
Do you want the truth? Can you handle the truth? What if you found out that the truth will set you free?
Today’s Verse of the Day:
‘And you will know the truth [regarding salvation], and the truth will set you free [from the penalty of sin].” ‘
John 8:32
Let’s take this back a step to get greater context since this sentence starts with “and”.
‘So Jesus was saying to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word [continually obeying My teachings and living in accordance with them, then] you are truly My disciples. And you will know the truth [regarding salvation], and the truth will set you free [from the penalty of sin].” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been enslaved to anyone. What do You mean by saying, ‘You will be set free’?” Jesus answered, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, everyone who practices sin habitually is a slave of sin. Now the slave does not remain in a household forever; the son [of the master] does remain forever. So if the Son makes you free, then you are unquestionably free. I know that you are Abraham’s descendants; yet you plan to kill Me, because My word has no place [to grow] in you [and it makes no change in your heart]. I tell the things that I have seen at My Father’s side [in His very presence]; so you also do the things that you heard from your father.” They answered, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you are [truly] Abraham’s children, then do the works of Abraham and follow his example. But as it is, you want to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God. This is not the way Abraham acted. You are doing the works of your [own] father.” They said to Him, “We are not illegitimate children; we have one [spiritual] Father: God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father [but He is not], you would love and recognize Me, for I came from God [out of His very presence] and have arrived here. For I have not even come on My own initiative [as self-appointed], but He [is the One who] sent Me. Why do you misunderstand what I am saying? It is because [your spiritual ears are deaf and] you are unable to hear [the truth of] My word. You are of your father the devil, and it is your will to practice the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar and the father of lies and half-truths. But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me [and continue in your unbelief]. Which one of you [has proof and] convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? Whoever is of God and belongs to Him hears [the truth of] God’s words; for this reason you do not hear them: because you are not of God and you are not in fellowship with Him.” The Jews answered Him, “Are we not right when we say You are a Samaritan and [that You] have a demon [and are under its power]?” Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon. On the contrary, I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. However, I am not seeking glory for Myself. There is One who seeks [glory for Me] and judges [those who dishonor Me]. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if anyone keeps My word [by living in accordance with My message] he will indeed never, ever see and experience death.” The Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon [and are under its power]. Abraham died, and also the prophets; yet You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word, he will never, ever taste of death.’ Are You greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died too! Whom do You make Yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is [worth] nothing. It is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ Yet you do not know Him, but I know Him fully. If I said I did not know Him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know Him and keep His word. Your father Abraham [greatly] rejoiced to see My day (My incarnation). He saw it and was delighted.” Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not even fifty years old, and You [claim to] have seen Abraham?” Jesus replied, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, before Abraham was born, I Am.” So they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus concealed Himself and left the temple.’
John 8:31-59
Let’s be the dads who:
- allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us.
- spend time in God’s Word and put it into practice.
- study the Bible as the inspired and authoritative Word of God so that we know the truth.
- study the New Testament in order to understand the truth of salvation and how through Jesus we are set free from the penalty of sin.
So are you ready? Are you going to jump into the Word of God to learn the truth of salvation? Will you take those truths to heart and walk in true freedom from the penalty of Sin? The decision is yours and will you believe God’s Word and put it into practice?
Ways to apply today’s verse of the day to being a dad:
- Speak the truth: “A dad should always speak the truth to his children. Lying or hiding the truth can damage the trust between a father and his children.”
- Lead by example: “A dad should be a role model for his children by living a truthful life.”
- Encourage honesty: “A dad should encourage his children to be truthful, even if the truth is difficult to hear.”
- Teach the importance of truth: “A dad should teach his children the importance of truth and how it can lead to a fulfilling life.”
- Correct untruthful behavior: “A dad should correct any untruthful behavior his children exhibit and explain why lying is wrong.”
- Be transparent: “A dad should be transparent with his children about his own mistakes and faults.”
- Help his children understand the consequences of lying: “A dad should help his children understand the consequences of lying and how it can hurt others.”
- Foster an environment of trust: “A dad should foster an environment of trust where his children feel comfortable sharing the truth with him.”
- Use the truth to build relationships: “A dad should use the truth to build strong and healthy relationships with his children.”
- Emphasize the importance of forgiveness: “A dad should emphasize the importance of forgiveness when his children tell the truth and make mistakes.”
