No Pain, No Gain
The Gospel of John
John Chapter 8
Scripture: John 8:42-43; 45-47 (New Living Translation)
42Jesus told them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. 43Why can't you understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to do so!
45So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don't believe me! 46Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don't you believe me? 47Anyone whose Father is God listens gladly to the words of God. Since you don't, it proves you aren't God's children."
Observation: In John chapter 8:32 (N.K.J.V.), Jesus states, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” The problem with this verse is that you have to know the truth in order to be free. In order to know the truth you have to be willing to hear the truth. To hear the truth you have to love the truth. To really love the truth you have to be willing to receive the truth even though the truth might hurt. It is like they say about weight lifting, “no pain, no gain!” The truth has to penetrate into our very souls and for it to truly make an impact we have to be honest with what the truth reveals. I mean that really does make sense, doesn’t honesty and truth really fit together? The Jews that were contending with Jesus were in a dilemma with the truth. Would they admit what was really going on in their lives or would they continue to save face by living in hypocrisy? The choice was there: truth and freedom versus hypocrisy and bondage. Freedom must come through the acceptance of the way things truthfully are! Without acceptance of the truth no matter its reality we are not ready to be set free! Sin is like any other addiction, (it actually is an addiction for someone who doesn’t know Christ.) you must first admit you have a problem in order to be able to address the problem. Denial will only entrench your bondage and solidify your hard heart! Jesus offered freedom through love. Notice the contrast of Jesus approach to the woman caught in adultery as opposed to these men who were hiding their sin. It wasn’t just the sin that Jesus was calling out but their unwillingness to admit their true condition.
Application: Jesus came to save sinners but he cannot help those who though blind claim to be able to see. Why do we run from the truth? If we would simply be honest with our true condition we would be able to receive healing? When the Holy Spirit confronts us with our lies we need to be willing to be “exposed.” It is not like God doesn’t already know the truth about us, this exposure is for us. It is an opportunity given to us to extend an invitation to Jesus to work in our lives. It is inviting the Holy Spirit to do surgery in us and remove the lies that we have been living in. Is surgery painless? No, but through the love of God we have the best anesthesia available to mankind. Today, when confronted with the truth of your condition will you sign the consent form? Remember the “truth will set you free.”
Prayer: Oh Lord Jesus, may I receive the truth today. May I agree with what you see and say? I am your child and you can see the pain in my life and desire for me to be free. Help me to embrace the truth, to not be afraid to be exposed by you Holy Spirit but allow you to set me free. I know Lord that your love covers a multitude of sins, help me to surrender to this great love and allow your grace to work in my life. I surrender Lord, I am yours!
John Chapter 8
Scripture: John 8:42-43; 45-47 (New Living Translation)
42Jesus told them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. 43Why can't you understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to do so!
45So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don't believe me! 46Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don't you believe me? 47Anyone whose Father is God listens gladly to the words of God. Since you don't, it proves you aren't God's children."
Observation: In John chapter 8:32 (N.K.J.V.), Jesus states, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” The problem with this verse is that you have to know the truth in order to be free. In order to know the truth you have to be willing to hear the truth. To hear the truth you have to love the truth. To really love the truth you have to be willing to receive the truth even though the truth might hurt. It is like they say about weight lifting, “no pain, no gain!” The truth has to penetrate into our very souls and for it to truly make an impact we have to be honest with what the truth reveals. I mean that really does make sense, doesn’t honesty and truth really fit together? The Jews that were contending with Jesus were in a dilemma with the truth. Would they admit what was really going on in their lives or would they continue to save face by living in hypocrisy? The choice was there: truth and freedom versus hypocrisy and bondage. Freedom must come through the acceptance of the way things truthfully are! Without acceptance of the truth no matter its reality we are not ready to be set free! Sin is like any other addiction, (it actually is an addiction for someone who doesn’t know Christ.) you must first admit you have a problem in order to be able to address the problem. Denial will only entrench your bondage and solidify your hard heart! Jesus offered freedom through love. Notice the contrast of Jesus approach to the woman caught in adultery as opposed to these men who were hiding their sin. It wasn’t just the sin that Jesus was calling out but their unwillingness to admit their true condition.
Application: Jesus came to save sinners but he cannot help those who though blind claim to be able to see. Why do we run from the truth? If we would simply be honest with our true condition we would be able to receive healing? When the Holy Spirit confronts us with our lies we need to be willing to be “exposed.” It is not like God doesn’t already know the truth about us, this exposure is for us. It is an opportunity given to us to extend an invitation to Jesus to work in our lives. It is inviting the Holy Spirit to do surgery in us and remove the lies that we have been living in. Is surgery painless? No, but through the love of God we have the best anesthesia available to mankind. Today, when confronted with the truth of your condition will you sign the consent form? Remember the “truth will set you free.”
Prayer: Oh Lord Jesus, may I receive the truth today. May I agree with what you see and say? I am your child and you can see the pain in my life and desire for me to be free. Help me to embrace the truth, to not be afraid to be exposed by you Holy Spirit but allow you to set me free. I know Lord that your love covers a multitude of sins, help me to surrender to this great love and allow your grace to work in my life. I surrender Lord, I am yours!
I love the illustration that god showed me one day:
When a small infant has yet to understand the space and distance that exist when a mommy leaves the room, they do not understand the truth! The truth is that Mom only went 5 feet, but the infant can feel abandoned. It takes maturity to understand that Mom only went a few feet.
I found this personal and in God's way so in my face! I just HAVE to grow up and GET what He is trying to show me...He is the TRUTH and He does set me free. I am so many times like my child, who has thought that I was stuck in my sin because that was what was in front of me. DUH, God's truth was still in front of me and I just couldn't see it anymore! Just like the thin wall between me & my infant!
The great thing about my Daddy God is that when I cry out for forgiveness, I can once again see Him. And once I become mature enough in my spirit to grab a hold of the TRUTH that I am NOT a slave to sin anymore, but a slace to righteousness then I Am Free.
Thank you God, for letting me live and walk in your Truth and your Freedom.
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