John 8:32 is one of the most recited verses of the entire New Testament. Jesus spoke these words to the Jews who had believed on Him. It was an encouragement for them to continue to hold to His teachings and to walk in the Truth that He would reveal.
I think what can often get lost in translation is "how" the truth sets us free. If truth (for instance) is only a set of theological ideas, doctrinal statements, or personal beliefs - then it cannot set us free. I'm a fan of theology, I believe in having doctrinal statements, and beliefs are important. However, these things alone cannot bring about the freedom that Jesus is communicating. Freedom comes to us when we hold to His Word, come into the knowledge of truth, and experience the truth for ourselves.
Maybe this will help you understand:
The word translated as KNOW is "ginōskō". Reading from Thayer's Greek Definitions...
1) to learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of perceive, feel
1a) to become known
2) to know, understand, perceive, have knowledge of
2a) to understand
2b) to know
3) Jewish idiom for sexual intercourse between a man and a woman
4) to become acquainted with, to know
Did you notice #3? Get ready because this can change your life. The knowledge that Jesus is speaking of in this verse is more than just a head knowledge. In other words it's not enough to know about the truth. You really, REALLY, need to know it. There must be an intimate encounter with the truth for it to create the freedom that we want to enjoy. It's not enough that we gain knowledge to build up our belief system. It's not enough that we make ourselves smarter in regards to our theology. Jesus is referring to that which can only come through relational experience. There may be people that know my wife but I'm the only one who truly "knows" her.
It makes perfect sense. Jesus never looked for people who would casually regard Him as Lord. He was always looking for those who were willing to be His disciples. In the Great Commission, He told His disciples to go and make more of the same kind. Casual Christianity knows nothing of the cost of discipleship, nothing of experiential theology, and nothing of intimate relationship. What is experiential theology? It's that which comes through experience. While experience doesn't get to set all my beliefs, it is important that I experience what I believe.
Theology by definition is the study of the nature of God and religious belief. It is also religious beliefs and theory when systematically developed. There is only one problem with systematic theology: It doesn't leave room for experience. Systematic theology is helpful when we lack experience. However, when we encounter what the Bible says is True then we must be willing to change our theology. It is my belief that what we read about in Scripture can and should be experienced. It's the mark of a disciple - someone who walks in relationship with the one from whom he is learning. Jesus had a lot of fans during His triumphal entry but not many followers on the day of His trial. Those who had an intimate encounter with Him remained faithful. They "knew" the truth and they were the ones to carry that truth after His death, burial, and resurrection.
I think this is why there are so many people in our churches that never encounter true freedom in Christ. They have an affirmation of what they believe. They feel good about being a part of a community of believers. They grow in knowledge and are devoted to the religious exercise of their faith. They just aren't experiencing freedom. Many of them are still plagued by the same things that plagued them before they got saved. They struggle to walk in the Truth of Scripture in their marriage or other relationships because they have never really experienced the grace of God. They may know about it but do they really "know" it?
When I was a young believer, people would tell me to know what you believe and why you believe it. Those were good words. I carry them in my life to this day. We just need to be careful that we do not become so comfortable with being able to quote Scripture, espouse our beliefs, and argue our point of view that we miss out on the reality of the Christian life. Jesus promised a freedom that could be felt, experienced, and believed. "Knowing" the truth must move beyond the realm of reason and enter the arena of relationship. Then, and only then, will we walk in FREEDOM.
It's time for believers to become followers. It's time for those devoted to their beliefs to become disciplined learner of Christ. It's time for those steeped in religion to discover the joy of relationship. It's time to allow the TRUTH of what you believe to bring you into the freedom that Jesus promised. It's time!!!
3 comments:
Ok, thoughts here, but not sure how to communicate this…. so bear with me :)
Do you think it’s safe to say that we may cheapen the relationship (with Christ), due to our tendency to treat relationship casually? I don’t know if that really makes sense, but your reference to #3 (Jewish idiom for sexual intercourse between a man and a woman) raised questions for me about the effects of action separate from true devotion.
Of course, I’ve heard this reference before as the definition of “knowing,” but to just be blunt with it, in the natural, wouldn’t you agree that it’s possible to have intercourse without really “knowing” the person? When it’s reduced to an action, without true devotion and desire (treated casually), then do we really know the person? I would argue…. no. There are definitely wounds that come from treating this casually, so in that regard, I definitely believe that there is a spiritual connection on some level and you do give a part of yourself to that person even if the intention is not to do so--- but without true devotion and right intent, is it really “knowing” in the same sense as a husband/wife? I would say… no. Not even close.
If anything, instead of really “knowing” the person, you leave the encounter feeling more and more a stranger, even to yourself.
So in that same regard, just like you referenced about Jesus not looking for those who would casually regard Him as Lord, could it not be that the reason for our not really “knowing” Christ has more to with the casual manner from which we approach him? Granted, experience is part of this… but I would argue that experience can be contaminated by causality. Are we seeking experience for experience sake, or are we seeking experience as a way to KNOW Him? And when we approach these experiences, are we treating it in a casual manner (something to do, something exciting, an experience we want to have just because it feeds our natural appetites for excitement), or are we approaching these experiences submitted to Jesus as Lord and desiring only to know Him?
I would like to say I've approached every experience with only a heart to know Him, but I know this is not true. Many have been approached from a self-seeking lens, wanting to step into some moving experiential relationship for the excitement of it. It's not that the experience itself is bad, it's that the motive behind and the desire for are tainted.
Thoughts? Or do I sound like I'm rambling and making no sense? :) It makes sense in my mind, at least.
Depending on the culture, #3 can lose it's meaning as it relates to intimacy. However, we must be careful that our culture doesn't influence the understanding of the Jewish culture.
Have we cheapened this concept in today's society. Or...is your argument actually valid as it relates to many people who profess Christ. Some are into the cheap thrill rather than the relational experience.
I do believe that Jesus used this expression of "knowing" so he could strike at the heart of a much deeper relationship. Those who will hold to His word. Those who will "know" the truth rather than just know about it.
What do we know about #3 as it relates to people? We know that it creates soul ties. I do believe that Jesus is after a soul tie with us.
And that is worth going after!!!
Thanks for you comments.
"Some are into the cheap thrill rather than the relational experience. "
You summed up what I was trying to say in one sentence haha. I get unnecessarily long winded :) Just found the example interesting, when considering how our culture has cheapened "#3" and in many ways has also cheapened the "knowing" of Christ as Lord
Post a Comment