092 – APRIL 2011
THINK ABOUT IT
John 3:28 “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Jesus said this in context to the Son of God, to the law of the Spirit, and to God’s power to set us free from the law of sin and death. I think it’s “legal” to consider it in a more extended manner. So …, with seminary apologies, let’s chew on this quote.
“The truth shall set you free!” Sometimes the truth makes me upset. Truth can disappoint me and send me into denial prison. I would rather believe the lie to protect my interest and my esteem. The likelihood of any faulty character truths? … I just don’t process that very well. And, assuredly, I will hiss and boo the messenger.
Last summer, I read the book What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, by Marshall
Goldsmith. I had mixed reviews for the book but found it very interesting that Goldsmith listed 20 bad habits that stifle already successful careers and personal goals.
He convinces corporate leaders to receive truthful input that is obtained from unsigned questionnaires that goes to staff. Ouch!!! Can you imagine that?
Marshall finds the common denominator/s for flaw/s and presents the info to the business chief … to help set him/her free from the shortcoming/s.
The procedure seems to reveal some truth and yet the first reaction is not freedom but rather a bit of denial and rejection to the “news”.
This life dilemma might best be summed up in the famous line from the movie, A Few Good Men.
In a heated military courtroom exchange Jack Nicholson screams at Tom Cruise, “You want answers?”
Cruise responds with a yell, “I want the truth!”
And, Nicholson shouts this great line, “You can’t handle the truth!”
So we need to examine this verse again,
John 3:28 “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
I think that a key word in this short verse would be “know”. It comes from the Greek word ginosko which translates know absolutely, with understanding, with resolve, …
Truth alone, without receiving it, may upset or anger a person. Only when a person accepts the information as “truthful” can they be in a position to change and be set free.
Therefore, the next time someone presents brings a personal critique to me, after I escape from my miserable protection mode, I hope that I will take the high road. I hope that I will take a deep breath and ask the question “Is this true?”
I might discover that it is … and be made free!
I may be “off” on this, but, at least, it will give you something to think about.
But, let’s be gentle ‘bout this whole thing. And, don’t be passing out no “Let’s Evaluate Chris” forms to anybody.
