I am always amazed when dealing with people who hold truth as an insignificant concept in their lives.  I recently asked a friend to give me his opinion on an article refuting some global warming data.  His response was that he sometimes wonders about the truthfulness of the global warming alarmists, but since it generally supports his ecological viewpoint, he willingly goes along with whatever the alarmist crowd says is true.  Wow!  When you consider the gravity of the loss of freedom we would all experience to accomplish the reversal of the global warming the alarmists say exists or will exist, the truth of the matter seems to be of paramount importance.  As I contemplated this issue of truth, I was reminded of Jesus saying,    

“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)  

This quote from Jesus has been used and misused many times.   We who follow him know what being set free means, but does knowing the truth regarding other things in life also set you free?  Was Jesus giving us a universal principle that we can always count on?

What are some areas in your life where knowing the truth produces freedom in our lives?  Trust comes from being truthful with people.  I have been faithful to my wife for 30 years now.  I don’t need to be untruthful to her about my actions, I can tell her the truth at all times because I am faithful to her.   This produces freedom in our relationship.  We can be away from one another and never worry about our relationship.  While we enjoy each other’s company whenever we are together, we also have the freedom to have friends and interests of our own.  We have the freedom to enjoy each other’s life fully because we are truthful with one another and can have full trust in one another.  Trust between people through consistent truthfulness really is the source of freedom in relationships. 

How about the trust relationship between people and their Government?  Doesn’t freedom depend on truthfulness in this relationship as well?  We are constantly being asked to support people in government that want to implement laws and policies that will affect our lives and our freedoms in some way.  Isn’t the truthfulness of these people essential to our freedom and our ability to pursue happiness?  If the policies and laws of our government are not based on the true facts, and motives based on the true wellbeing of the people, we will likely lose our freedoms and our trust in those who govern us.  Unfortunately, we see this happening all of the time.

As followers of the One who spoke the truth about freedom, we must be vigilant to speak out always about the need for truthfulness.  Whether we are counseling someone on a relationship or talking at the water cooler about the recent political hot issue, we must remind those around us that the truth is essential to freedom for as Jesus also said, “let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matt 5:16)   As believers, we have been affected by knowing the truth and being set free.  Tell the world what that means.