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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider The truth will set you free

The truth will set you free

Published Apr 8, 2025 04:03 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Gird your loins

 

It is not easy to break away from the shackles of untruthfulness because it is also never easy to remain in Jesus’ word. 


Jesus’ word has the power to free us from the enslaving chains of falsehood. However, we need to truly accept Jesus’ word if the full effect of its power over us is to take place. 


What makes the word of Jesus difficult to accept? 


It exposes who we really are, with both the beautiful and the ugly in us, and challenges us to become better. Oftentimes, we do not want to face what is ugly in us. It is a lot easier to cover this ugliness with lies. 


But Jesus’ message is clear: the truth will set us free if we allow his word to turn what is ugly in us into the beauty that comes from the God of truthfulness. 


Do we want to be set free? Do we remain in Jesus’ word? Do we accept it as part of our mission to stand against the culture of lies in our present world?

 

Gospel • John 8:31-42

Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 


They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will become free’?” 
Jesus answered them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. 


So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free. I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you. 


I tell you what I have seen in the Father’s presence; then do what you have heard from the Father.” 


They answered and said to him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works of Abraham. 
But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this. 


You are doing the works of your father!” So they said to him, “We were not born of fornication. We have one Father, God.” 


Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me.”

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2025,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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