The Truth Shall Make You Free

The following is an excerpt from Desiring God by John Piper:

Another essential element of joy is freedom. None of us would be happy if we were not free from what we hate and free for what we love. And where do we find true freedom? Psalm 119:45 says, “I shall walk in freedom, for I sought your precepts” (author’s translation). The picture is one of open spaces. The Word frees us from smallness of mind (1Kings 4:29) and from threatening confinements (Psalm 18:19).

Jesus says, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). The freedom He has in mind is freedom from the slavery of sin (v. 34). Or, to put it positively, it is freedom for holiness. The promises of God’s grace provide the power that makes the demands of God’s holiness an experience of freedom rather than fear. Peter described the freeing power of God’s promises like this: “Through [His precious and very great promises] you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire” (2 Peter 1:4). In other words, when we trust the promises of God, we sever the root of corruption by the power of a superior promise.

Therefore we should pray for each other the way Jesus prays for us in John 17:17: “Sanctify them in truth; your word is truth.” There is no abiding joy without holiness, for the Scripture says, “Strive…for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). How important, then, is the truth that sanctifies! How crucial is the Word that breaks the power of counterfeit pleasures! And how vigilant we should be to light our paths and load our hearts with the Word of God! “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (v. 11; cf. v. 9).

I feel like there is a lot in this short section to chew on, but I really want to take time to savor the first paragraph (I might come back to the rest later). The idea of God’s freedom as wide, open places resonates within me. Maybe this doesn’t sound beautiful or pleasing to you, but just picturing these open spaces brings pure, sweet joy to my heart. In context, Piper’s discussion of this freedom is connected to the importance of God’s Word. When we read it, meditate on it, let it become a part of us, we experience a giddy sense of freedom that can come from nowhere else. God’s Word truly breaks the power of sin in our lives and frees us to live lives of holiness! It is the freedom of wide, open spaces where one can run, play, cartwheel, somersault, and laugh until you collapse to the ground in exhaustion. How totally beautiful!

I would encourage you to look up those verses (Psalm 119:45, 1 Kings 4:29, and Psalm 18:19) and meditate on them. Underline them, write them on post-its and place them in prominent places in your house or at work. Do whatever it takes to let the truth of the freeing power of God’s Word capture your heart!