City Life Starter

Written by Scott Fiddler

The Word

31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.

John 8:31-34

Commentary

Epistemology is the study of the nature, origin, and scope of knowledge—in other words, how we know what we know is really true. Even though the term, “epistemology” was not used until the nineteenth century, philosophers throughout history have grappled with the question of how we know that we know. Plato’s argument that each soul existed before birth and that knowledge is simply remembering what we knew before birth is one example.  Rene Descarte’s, “I think, therefore I am” is another. 

In the passage above, Jesus speaks on epistemology, that is, how we can know the truth. He is speaking to those who have already believed in Him (v. 31). Jesus tells them if they obey His word (v. 31), then they will know the truth (v. 32), and then they will be free (v. 32). In other words, first one must believe, then one must be obedient, then one will know what one has believed is true, and only then will one become free. 

This seems backwards to us. We want to know first, before being obedient.  Christian seminars, at least before the pandemic, were prolific, and they were prolific because of the demand created by Christians. And that is because we think if we can just hear this new speaker or new teaching, or read this new book, that that knowledge is going to be the key to our personal, financial, or relational success.  We think if we know, we will be free, but in reality it is only after we are obedient that we truly know what we have believed is true and we become free. 

Application

Knowledge without obedience is just theory. Only the obedient truly know and are free. For example, it doesn’t matter how many Dave Ramsey courses you have attended or books you have read, if you continue to finance purchases and refuse to spend less than you earn, you will continue to be in debt. Your knowledge is only theoretical not actual, and you won’t know financial freedom. That is why in the passage above Jesus said that everyone who commits sin (who is not obedient) is a slave (v. 34).  Freedom is reserved for the obedient.

Prayer

Lord, help me to trust You, so I will step out faithfully in obedience and truly experience freedom in You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.