July 12th 2020
As My Disciple You Will Know The Truth, And The Truth Will Set You Free.
John 17:16-17 (NIV)
They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
In the Upper Room” one of the daily devotionals I study there was recently a quote by the writer, “God loves everyone, and I will too.” Too bad that everyone in this world today, does not ascribe to this simple phrase! Every night in the news are reports of people killing people, on purpose not accidentally. Sometimes it is one person killing several other people they dislike enough to arm themselves sufficiently to be able to kill several other people before the police can kill them, or at least to subdue them. Prayerfully, everyone reading this believes the police should be allowed to stop someone who is killing people! During this pandemic we are experiencing there are many people who would want a purposeful killer to be stopped, but they refuse to wear a mask to protect others from them. This seems confusing to me, as wearing a mask is done to protect others from your potential killing breath, if you have COVID-19 and yet do not yet show symptoms, your breath can kill someone you do not even know!
Now back to the selected verse and the crucks of this VOW. Jesus here is referring to His earthly followers and letting them know that, “They are not of the world.” So, just what does Jesus mean here saying we are not of this world. Of course, Jesus is assuring us that we have been born again and now therefore, we are not to identify with worldly thinking anymore. Our thinking should always be in tune with how Jesus looks at this world. Next Jesus compares us to Him in this respect, when He says, “even as I am not of it.” Next Jesus is telling us that God the Father will change us to be able to see and understand the truth, when we hear it. When Jesus says, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”
When Jesus was talking to Pilate, He tried to explain the truth about Him, but Pilate being a worldly man could not understand. "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." "What is truth?" Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him. (John 18:37-38). Are you on the side of truth?
Jesus came into this world to offer salvation to everyone who is willing and able to accept salvation in their lifetime in this world. Jesus’ mission was not completed during His lifetime on this earth. He is coming back to take all of those who have chosen to believe and follow Him. Jesus has said, I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. (Matthew 5:18). Jesus is quoted as saying “I tell you the truth” 78 times in the New Testament NIV translation of the Bible. Are you watching closely for the signs to tell you when Jesus may return to Rapture His followers? When it occurs, you will either come down with Him, or you will be taken up to meet with Him in the sky. Are you ready to fly?
One of those times when Jesus used this term was recorded for us by Matthew. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. (Matthew 13:15-17). While we were not present when Jesus said these important things, we will still come to understand through our born again hearts and come to know the truth too. Many people seek freedom in this world, but they are looking in the wrong places. 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." (John 8:31-32). Jesus offers the only true freedom in this cursed mortal world!
As followers of Jesus we are expected to pray for those people in leadership roles, even if we do not always agree with their decision making. Paul taught Timothy about the importance of prayer in his ministry. I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4). In this time of national turmoil, it is especially important for followers of Jesus to pray daily for those trying to be in leadership roles in this country. Especially for those whom we seem to disagree with their decisions! Please remember, they could be right!
Remember, Jesus referred to His disciples as being His brothers and sisters in the faith! In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. (Hebrews 2:10-11). It is true God looks at the followers of Jesus and considers them to be His children. Not only does God consider followers of Jesus to be the children of God, but also remember Jesus will intercede for us when we leave this life and come to face God in heaven.
Jesus told us, His disciples that He was going ahead of us to prepare a place for us in heaven. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:3-6). Jesus is coming back to take you to where He is, when it is time for you to leave this mortal lifetime! Now that is the kind of promise to close this commentary with!
As my disciple you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
John 17:16-17 (NIV)
They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
In the Upper Room” one of the daily devotionals I study there was recently a quote by the writer, “God loves everyone, and I will too.” Too bad that everyone in this world today, does not ascribe to this simple phrase! Every night in the news are reports of people killing people, on purpose not accidentally. Sometimes it is one person killing several other people they dislike enough to arm themselves sufficiently to be able to kill several other people before the police can kill them, or at least to subdue them. Prayerfully, everyone reading this believes the police should be allowed to stop someone who is killing people! During this pandemic we are experiencing there are many people who would want a purposeful killer to be stopped, but they refuse to wear a mask to protect others from them. This seems confusing to me, as wearing a mask is done to protect others from your potential killing breath, if you have COVID-19 and yet do not yet show symptoms, your breath can kill someone you do not even know!
Now back to the selected verse and the crucks of this VOW. Jesus here is referring to His earthly followers and letting them know that, “They are not of the world.” So, just what does Jesus mean here saying we are not of this world. Of course, Jesus is assuring us that we have been born again and now therefore, we are not to identify with worldly thinking anymore. Our thinking should always be in tune with how Jesus looks at this world. Next Jesus compares us to Him in this respect, when He says, “even as I am not of it.” Next Jesus is telling us that God the Father will change us to be able to see and understand the truth, when we hear it. When Jesus says, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”
When Jesus was talking to Pilate, He tried to explain the truth about Him, but Pilate being a worldly man could not understand. "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." "What is truth?" Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him. (John 18:37-38). Are you on the side of truth?
Jesus came into this world to offer salvation to everyone who is willing and able to accept salvation in their lifetime in this world. Jesus’ mission was not completed during His lifetime on this earth. He is coming back to take all of those who have chosen to believe and follow Him. Jesus has said, I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. (Matthew 5:18). Jesus is quoted as saying “I tell you the truth” 78 times in the New Testament NIV translation of the Bible. Are you watching closely for the signs to tell you when Jesus may return to Rapture His followers? When it occurs, you will either come down with Him, or you will be taken up to meet with Him in the sky. Are you ready to fly?
One of those times when Jesus used this term was recorded for us by Matthew. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. (Matthew 13:15-17). While we were not present when Jesus said these important things, we will still come to understand through our born again hearts and come to know the truth too. Many people seek freedom in this world, but they are looking in the wrong places. 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." (John 8:31-32). Jesus offers the only true freedom in this cursed mortal world!
As followers of Jesus we are expected to pray for those people in leadership roles, even if we do not always agree with their decision making. Paul taught Timothy about the importance of prayer in his ministry. I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4). In this time of national turmoil, it is especially important for followers of Jesus to pray daily for those trying to be in leadership roles in this country. Especially for those whom we seem to disagree with their decisions! Please remember, they could be right!
Remember, Jesus referred to His disciples as being His brothers and sisters in the faith! In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. (Hebrews 2:10-11). It is true God looks at the followers of Jesus and considers them to be His children. Not only does God consider followers of Jesus to be the children of God, but also remember Jesus will intercede for us when we leave this life and come to face God in heaven.
Jesus told us, His disciples that He was going ahead of us to prepare a place for us in heaven. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:3-6). Jesus is coming back to take you to where He is, when it is time for you to leave this mortal lifetime! Now that is the kind of promise to close this commentary with!
As my disciple you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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