团契与门徒训练

Path to freedom (John 8:31-32)

2011.05.01Rev. Chip Ingram

Freedom comes through integrity, a life in which what we believe and how we live tell the same story. Jesus says that abiding in His word, which means obeying it, leads to knowing the truth that sets us free.

Abiding in God's word means obeying it (vv. 31-32)

John 8:31-32 shows that Jesus is not speaking only of hearing His word. To abide in His word means to take it in for the purpose of application. We receive God's word, step out in obedience even when we are afraid or do not know every detail, and find that God gives grace in that step. The organ of spiritual growth is not the intellect but obedience. The truth that sets us free is the truth we live out.

Integrity is the path to freedom

Proverbs 10:9 says that he who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his way will be found out. Integrity comes from a word meaning to integrate. It is more than honesty. It means that what we say we believe and how we live tell the same story. Few of us reach this perfectly, but spiritual maturity means every area of life, including dating, work, personal life, and recreation, is integrated rather than kept in separate compartments.

Relationships with God and people depend on honesty

Trust is the currency of relationships, and without it there are only superficial games and pretense. The Lord is near to those who call on Him in truth (Psalm 145:18). After his sin, David prayed that God desires truth in the innermost being (Psalm 51). God values an honest heart more than performance, morality, or good works, and He saves those who are crushed in spirit. Jesus met people who came to Him broken and honest rather than covering their failures.

Speak the truth in love and live what we believe

Ephesians 4 calls us to walk in a manner worthy of our calling, bringing our behavior up to the level of the truth that is already true of us. Maturity shows when we speak the truth in love rather than offering only easy affirmation. Many Christians say one thing and live another, and many carry self-hatred and guilt. We need to stop projecting a false image. We are what we are by the grace of God, and honest authenticity brings freedom.

Peace and impact come through integrity

Colossians 3 calls us to let the peace of Christ rule our hearts like an umpire and to let the word of Christ dwell richly within us through daily time in Scripture. When peace leaves us, we should go and apologize. Conviction from the Holy Spirit is specific and restores us, while condemnation is vague and crushing. Many addictions grow from a lack of peace and integrity. Impact requires integrity too. Gandhi, after six months with a missionary family, concluded that Christ was attractive but His followers were so unlike Him.

Apply to Life

  • Let us take God's word in and obey it step by step, even when we feel afraid.
  • Let us examine where our beliefs and daily lives tell different stories, and bring them into line.
  • Let us set aside unhurried time each morning for God's word and prayer.
  • Let us confess our sins honestly to God and to a trusted person, and ask for help.
  • Let us speak the truth in love and apologize quickly when the peace of Christ leaves us.

This summary was made automatically from the sermon's captions and may differ from the sermon.

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