By Pastor Doug

Have you ever wondered why a person with problems can hear the gospel many times over and not get saved or be changed? They hear exactly what they need but it’s like water off a duck’s back. Then another person, with the same problems can hear the gospel once or twice and get saved and their life begins to change. What is the difference between them? I believe the person who gets saved or changed is a person who has a hunger for the truth and the other person is not.

Truth contains power. The gospel is truth and it contains the power to change any person’s life and make any person free. But if that truth is not wanted, it is powerless.

In my experience as a pastor, I have met many people who say they love Jesus, but their life never changes. How is that possible? In John 8 we are told about some Jews who believed Jesus and I’m sure Jesus was pleased about that. That is certainly better than hating and plotting to kill Him. However, Jesus wasn’t satisfied with them just believing Him. He wanted them to do more, He wanted them to get to know Him intimately.

Jesus said “… to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”” (John 8:31-32)

Jesus wants us to believe in Him, but He also wants us to learn what He has to say. What He has to say is important because it is truth. His word is truth, but not just a truth, but ‘the truth.’ It is absolute truth from God, and the promise is if we know God’s truth it will make us free.

The word ‘know’ is about intimacy and closeness. Knowing the truth will keep us on the right track. Proverbs 14:12 says “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” How can you know the difference between what seems right and what is right? By getting close to Jesus by reading His word and then doing what He says. If you do that, He will give you the ability to recognize when you are missing it.

It is vital to understand that Jesus came to not only be our Savior but to be our Shepherd. He is the great Shepherd and we are His sheep. One day Jesus spoke to some religious people telling them, “… you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep,” as I said to you. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:26-27)

Pursuing truth is not an option. Some people think pursuing religion is enough. It is not. We are to pursue and follow Jesus just like sheep follow their shepherd. Does that describe you. Maybe you have been wandering too far from the flock, too far from the Word. If so it’s time to turn back and feed on His word and the promise is, you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.