The phrase “Knowledge will set us free” is based on the biblical quote that we can find in the book of John 8:31 “Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him: If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
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In this sense, this biblical quote teaches us that true knowledge is Christ Jesus, and he provides us with freedom from sin, salvation, and access to the kingdom of heaven, where we will be worshiping and exalting the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. for eternity.
However, in order to be truly free, we must dispose of our hearts and move away from everything that diverts us from the path, that is, we must die for the world and live for Christ.
Meaning of Knowledge will set us free
When it is said that knowledge will set us free, it refers to knowing Christ through his word. At the time when Jesus said that the truth would set us free, Judaism believed that the study of the Law of Moses gave man freedom. Therefore, the Jewish rulers looked down on the people whom they saw as ignorant, as seen in the word:
“Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? But these people who do not know the law are cursed. Nicodemus, who came to him by night, who was one of them, said to them: Does our law judge a man if he does not first listen to him, and know what he has done? They answered and said to him: Are you also a Galilean? Scrutinize and see that a prophet has never risen from Galilee.” (John 7:48-52)
But what Jesus stated is that it would be “the truth” that could make us truly free and not the law of Moses. At first, both seemed to be the same thing, but you can see in the word that they are not:
“John bore witness to him, and cried out saying, This is the one I was saying, He who comes after me is before me; because he was before me. Because of the fullness of him we all take, and grace upon grace. For the law through Moses was given, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one ever saw God; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.” (John 1:15-18)
It is worth highlighting this difference because we must understand that knowledge of the law, by itself, does not provide freedom to man. Even the law has no power to save us from sin. Although it points us to what is wrong, it does not give us the power to do what is right before our Heavenly Father.
On the other hand, prohibitions can create in us a contrary action, since we will be tempted to do what is prohibited. But if we are filled with the Grace of our Lord, we will be guided on the path of goodness and the Holy Spirit will encourage us when we are tempted, give us strength when we feel weak and faith when we are discouraged. For which the knowledge of knowing that Christ is our truth, makes us free, free of guilt, burdens and fear.
4 Aspects to consider about freedom
Jesus Christ came to this world to bring us freedom through his truth, which leads us to salvation and forgiveness of our sins, in order to access the kingdom of heaven. For this reason it is important to consider the following aspects:
1.- The means to achieve freedom
The only means to achieve our freedom is to know the truth of Christ: “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). But to know this truth we must have a willing heart and not question the word or seek a logical rationale for what Jesus teaches us in each of the gospels. Through Christ we can be forgiven of our sins and be free from all ties that prevent us from being in the presence of God.
2.- The nature of this freedom
The nature of true freedom is spiritual, and it goes far beyond what the Jews understood. For them it meant only being free from slavery to idols or darkness. However, the spiritual freedom of which Our Lord Jesus Christ spoke was much greater.
This referred to freedom from sin and the consequences it has brought in our lives. Which includes the forgiveness and justification of all our sins. As his word says:
“Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you: He who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life; and he will not come into condemnation, but he has passed from death to life. Truly, truly, I say to you: The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear it will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he also has given the Son to have life in himself.” (John 5:23-26)
In this sense, freedom has to do with feeling free from guilt and having peace of mind, and we obtain this through the peace of Christ, who frees us from all burdens and pressures that can keep us from serenity.
In this way we are regenerated through the Holy Spirit to be new creatures who walk in holiness free from the ties of sin, just as his word says: “For sin shall not have dominion over you; for you are not under law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:14).
When we are under grace, we are under the covering of our Heavenly Father and under his wings we will be safe. And that is true freedom, knowing that God is the light on the way, is our main reason for living in this world so full of adversities, because we are here with a purpose, because we are called into the presence of God to glorify him and exalt him as he deserves it.
3.- The way in which Christ achieves this freedom
The way in which Christ gives us freedom is through redemption. The word “redeem” previously referred to the payment that was required to be made in order to free a person from slavery.
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In the Old Testament the “Redeemer” was frequently related to God, and through his Son Jesus Christ believers could achieve freedom. As can be seen in this passage:
“This one will say: I am of the Lord; the other will be called by the name of Jacob, and another will write with his hand: To Jehovah, and he will be called by the name of Israel. Thus says the Lord King of Israel, and the Redeemer of him, the Lord of hosts: I am the first, and I am the last, and besides me there is no God ” (Isaiah 44:5-6)
In this sense, the Old Testament sacrificial system previously served to teach the Israelites the way in which they could obtain redemption for their sins, paying a price. Therefore, the sacrifice of each animal with its blood shed on the altar represented the price that Christ was going to pay with his death on the cross of Calvary.
So John the Baptist had already anticipated this when he introduced the Lord Jesus: “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Through Jesus Christ we were able to achieve total redemption, since he defeated sin on the cross of Calvary, cleansed us of all guilt and gave us the opportunity to be saved.
4.- What gives us this freedom
First of all, when Jesus Christ frees us from sin through his perfect sacrifice on the cross of Calvary, it is to stop living in him: “Because you, brethren, were called to freedom; only do not use freedom as an occasion for the flesh” (Galatians 5:13).
For this reason, this freedom should lead us to have a life in holiness and obedience to God, maintaining constant communion with our Lord, so as not to fall into temptations that can take away that precious gift of salvation.
Knowledge will set us free the moment we truly know Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life. For this reason it is important to scrutinize the scriptures to know in depth the divine purpose of salvation, as can be seen in the word:
“And you know where I go, and you know the road. Thomas said to him: Lord, we do not know where you are going; how then can we know the way? Jesus said to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through me. If you knew me, you would also know my Father; and from now on you know him, and you have seen him.” (John 14:4-7)
In this sense, all truth is Christ and leads us to the path of salvation. But in order to achieve it, we must set our hearts and repent of all our sins, since without genuine repentance we will not be able to reach the presence of God because he wants us to be cleansed and renewed.
To enter the presence of God, we must be in clean and white garments, without any stain, and this stain refers to any sin, however insignificant it may seem to us, since God is deserving of our holiness because we are his children and he wants that we be the image and likeness of him.
So it is not enough just to believe in God, in the sacrifice of Christ, it is not enough to do good works, to feed the poor. There must be a total, genuine repentance, where we leave behind all vanity, all ego, letting the world die so that Christ can live in us. That is the purpose that every believer should have, to be in the presence of God and achieve his forgiveness.
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