1. TRUTH – What is truth?
“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32)
Truth is an unchanging fact or principle that is accepted by all, transcending time and space regardless of human understanding, knowledge, or perspective.
Jesus is the truth. The Truth is the word of God.
To know the truth is to be free
2. FREEDOM – What are we free from?
First, we are free from the law.
The laws mandate that we observe every single word written in them. However, we all know that is beyond our ability, no matter how hard we try. We can only confirm that we cannot abide by all these laws. As a result, we cannot help but suffer from judgment of the laws and the guilt for violating such. The Lord, Jesus also encouraged us to observe and fulfill the laws. However, between the laws and the gospel, Jesus Christ who is the essence of the gospel helps us fulfill the laws through his power and grace, while the laws imprison us so we have no choice but to respect them. Therefore, the Lord guides us to the right path everyday with the light of his truth. As long as our focus is on the Lord, he fills us with the spirit of the truth, so that the laws are fulfilled in this truth. He is our true savior, and Christians who have received salvation can be set themselves free from all binds and the sense of guilt associated with the laws.
Second, it is freedom from all circumstances.
We find ourselves in unexpected situations often. However, if we believe that the Lord walks with me at all times, we also believe that our situations are also under his guidance and direction. If we truly are able to believe that, we can also be convinced that it will all work out and be resolved in a way that the Lord has intended. There is no reason for the Lord to cause us harm, since he willingly accepted death on the cross for my sins. Therefore, true Christians are free from all circumstances that are contrary to our plans, including illness, natural disasters, poverty and famine, criticism and ridicule.
Third, it is being free from oneself.
True freedom does not come from within. Our “ego” is a deadly weapon that destroys true freedom. It is understandable why the wisest amongst us say that the most difficult battle is the battle with self. The most difficult adversary for us is us; not someone antagonizing us, not some challenges presented to us unexpected, not Satan. It is ourselves. There are greed and selfishness that are choking our soul within us. There are untreated wounds within us. There are inferiority complexes. There are hidden anger within us. There are ego within us that do not forgive us of our past mistakes. We are making ourselves slaves to ourselves. But the Lord says the truth will set us free. The source of freedom is the word of God which is the only truth. Only the Lord the truth can set us free from all that binds us.
3. JUSTICE -What is justice ?
The standard by which to judge justice is the truth and the freedom. Justice has the influence to guarantee freedom to each and every member of a social community within the truth. Justice is connected, not by an individual, but by the community that brings happiness to the entire community. There is no justice in a society where 1% has more than the other 99%. No rage over unjust distribution of wealth means that society is dead. If one suffers from inequality but is not in rage over this unjust distribution, he already is a slave to the wealth and power of those who have them. What is the point of looking for cause if already given up and hopeless. Justice is indignation that takes place within the truth, rather than self righteousness.
I bless all of you in the name of the Lord that you will indeed be free through the word of truth through our Wycliffe University & A.T.S, and that you become the light of the truth lifting any darkness here in Africa as well as all over the world.
Rev.Young Soo Mok (Paul Y. Mok) – Th.D