The truth shall...

As I was walking this morning I had a revelation. (Well, a few ideas.) This will be nothing new to my fellow pastors.

The oft-used phrase came to my mind: "The truth shall set you free." Everyone uses this phrase. Even though it comes from the Bible, it is used by secular speakers and writers—as if it hung in the air for the picking. Just reach up and pluck it out of the air, not considering its origin.

And I thought: You can’t just pluck the truth out of the. Then I thought: They are plucking the truth. Which led to: They are f---king the truth; or, they are f---king with the truth. They are plagiarizing Jesus and don’t know it. (See how my homiletical mind reaches out for associations.)

The thought of f–king with the truth led me to the Scriptures. Specifically to John’s Gospel, the original context. The phrase, “The truth shall set you free,” follows other sentences which set the context. So, let’s look at it. Let’s go in reverse.

What comes before The Truth Shall Set You Free? This: “You will know the truth.” Of course. Before the truth can set you free, you have to know the truth. But how do you know it? Jesus says: “You shall be my disciples.” Oh. So the “truth” being talked about has something to do with discipleship. Well.

But what comes before that? “If you remain in my word.” Now, that’s interesting. We could do a long excavation of that phrase.

So, here is where we are: (1) to be free, (2) one knows the truth, (3) which means being a disciple, (4) a result of remaining in the word of Jesus.

Let’s turn it around: If you remain in the word of Jesus you will be his disciple and will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (This comes from the 8^th chapter of John.)

Now we’re no longer f—king with the truth. Nor plucking the truth out of the air. The truth has to be connected to the Tree, which is nourished and kept alive by its Roots. The secular, out-of-context use of this phrase has neither the Tree nor the Roots to give its authentic meaning. The Tree is the Tree of Life. The Root is the Reality of God.

There’s more. Truth (in John’s Gospel) is not some philosophical concept or logical deduction. In the third chapter of the Fourth Gospel Jesus says we must “do” the truth. Or “practice” the truth. It has to do with a way of life. This has nothing to do with labeling oneself a “Christian.” Let’s get rid of the word “Christian.” Please.

Which brings to mind that infamous verse, “I am the way, the life, and the truth.” Yes, from John’s Gospel. (This is all connected.) The infamous 14.6 has been used to club people over the head with a kind of “f—k you” evangelism. (If you don’t believe like I do, you’re f—ked.)

Watch this: I am the Way (remain in my word), the Truth (you will be my disciples and know the truth), and the Life (the truth will set you free). What is the “word” of Jesus we are to remain in? We can sum this “word/message” up by referring to the Sermon on the Mount. (Love your enemies, don’t take revenge, be peacemakers, be merciful, don’t be hypocritical, pray, don’t judge, etc, etc.

If we remain in the word of Jesus by practicing the truth—living the Jesus-life-style, we will “know” the truth—i.e. participate in and practice the truth, and will know the real meaning of freedom—freedom rooted in the transcendence of the Logos (eternal Word).

The way, the truth, and the life is not a set of doctrines or beliefs, but a Way of Life rooted in the Truth of Love—a love which in inclusive (follow Jesus around and see) and merciful.

The truth shall set you free. What truth? And free for what? Only the original context can answer those questions. Truth is not information or concepts or a substance. Truth is a way of life. Freedom is not a thing or a substance. Freedom is a means to something else. What? Only the truth that is connected to the tree and the roots can know what freedom is for. Jesus said: You shall know them by their fruit (from the Sermon on the Mount). Freedom is a means to a life that comes to fruition in a full-blown love.

When we pluck plants out of the ground they may look pretty for a while. But they soon wither up and die. Let’s stop plucking with the truth. Instead, let us ground ourselves in Christ—that is, in a life of inclusive love and the joyful living.