Set at liberty

When truth sets us free, it liberates like no other so that even Jesus said that “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32 KJV). There is no truth that man cannot live by and be set free of because it overcomes the lies of the devil. To be in the truth means to live free from deception. But to think that we are perfectly living in it now could also be a misunderstanding of the truth. We live the truth only when we have first understood it and deliberately acted our will towards it. For example a child may not know that gravel is not food until you teach the child that gravel is not food and until she has tasted it and compared its taste to a real food. Lies appear like truths but until you have not been doped you will find that what appears real is a foul deception. God leads all men into truth but few find the narrow way because the road to hell is paved with good intentions that distract many from following the truth.

When Herod took Herodias as a wife, it was out of covetousness with his brother. The point of John is to make things right that is to bring conviction to the folly that Herod had fallen to. It is John’s responsibility as the forerunner of Truth Himself, to show the way for him to be set free. It is apparent from the trembling of Herod when Salome asked the head of John the Baptist in a platter that he knew that John is considered a prophet by the people. He feared the reaction of the people but he feared even more that he may displease his guests. Out of shame and becoming irreverent to his guests, he preferred to slay John and deliver his head to Herodias. Weak men cannot stand the gaze of the crowd and they will do everything to please them rather than to be left alone. On the other hand, the nobler soul that he killed could charge even ten thousands and yet not fear one bit whether they will lynch him to pieces or let him live.

Pleasing the crowd is never the objective of the Christian walk; it is a narrow path that leads to truth and freedom. As a narrow path, few find their way because they have to watch their walk until the end of it. There are many who first tried to walk in it but eventually leave and fall away because it choked their self-will. The cross of Christ is meant to be applied not just at one instance or during the preaching of an invited guest speaker or an anointed pastor or leader. For the cross to be applied, it has to be varnished over our spirits. If it does not stick to your spirit, this speaks more of your self-will than the sacrifice needed to follow Christ. Because John stick to the truth even to the end of his life, the sword and dagger that was used to cut his head had no semblance of pain upon him. The Spirit of the Lord comforted His servant even in his darkest moment, and all the heavenly hosts, rejoiced to receive the greatest man born of woman.

Do you struggle to stand for truth? Is there ambivalence in your walk with God? Follow the truth, the leading of God. Every saint of the ages walked to find the post that said, “your life is nothing unless it be given to the Life giver.” Those who found this inscription lived lives that prophesied to eternity, few may be well known in this world, but that is not their motivation. To be known by the King and to be told “well done good and faithful servant” is enough for them. It is not the greatest in this world that will be commended but everyone who will do the will of God will receive their own commendations because their labor in love will not be wasted. Stop grueling in your weakness, give your hands, give your talents, anything that you have and God will use it for His glory.

“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” (Galatians 6:9)

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,  not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:23-25)
“Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble,  and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.” (Hebrews 12:12-13)

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

“Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;  if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;  or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Romans 12:6-8)

The fervor of John

The fervent heart cannot lose its light even when his life on earth is already snuffed out. Our graduation to heaven impacts even more those who are left by the message that we preached to our generation and to those left behind. Because we reflected the light of God, and lit up the candles of others who were in the dark, those who listened, left behind, and are still physically alive continue the quest that we have begun. In fact we are still doing so, continuing the quest of John the Baptist. No one knows completely the mind of Christ or even His whole plan. But we have His mind as one body together; all our perspectives must be taken as one, see each pieces as contributing to the bigger picture of our salvation, redemption and purpose.

Only the proud and immature will not accept the lessons of the past, the message of others who have gone before us. And to do so is folly beyond remedy because those who fail to read history are doomed to repeat it. We read history not for the sake of knowledge but to honor those who have brought the foundational truths we already know, and to discover these truths in the eyes of them who brought it, and to reinforce its strength in our lives. If we do not immerse ourselves in the lessons of the past, how can we even understand the unfolding plans of God for the future? If we do not have a map or pathway of those who have already been to the place, how sure are we to find it anyway with 100% certainty?

This must be our goal, to honor the past and yet take hold of the future so that we express it today. It is for this reason that the apostles who wrote scriptures always exhort us to be diligent in doing good works and good deeds as well as good confession. The true follower cannot but do good deeds because His God is filled with goodness for his servant and friend. May God’s goodness and favor rest on you this year, pray it and take it to your place of destiny. The good man tills his land and His favor is upon him.