What are YOU thinking about? July 20, 2008

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
                                                           Philippians 4:8-9
Whatever is true…
What is it that we find to be true?

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
                                                                       John 8:31-32
Well, what ever it is, it is going to set us free. Let’s get a definition of “truth” going here.

Truth-

• 1. objectively 

1. what is true in any matter under consideration
   1. truly, in truth, according to truth
   2. of a truth, in reality, in fact, certainly
2. what is true in things appertaining to God and the duties of man, moral and religious truth
   1. in the greatest latitude
   2. the true notions of God which are open to human reason without his supernatural intervention
3. the truth as taught in the Christian religion, respecting God and the execution of his purposes through Christ, and respecting the duties of man, opposing alike to the superstitions of the Gentiles and the inventions of the Jews, and the corrupt opinions and precepts of false teachers even among Christians

1. subjectively
   1. truth as a personal excellence
      1. that candour of mind which is free from affection, pretence, simulation, falsehood, deceit

(KJV New Testiment Greek Lexicon)

So this may give you somewhat of an idea of what truth means. And this is what will set us free!
But to be exact…

“So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed”
                                                                                                                                                        John 8:36
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
                                                                                                                                                        John 14:6
Jesus is the truth that sets us free!!

What is it we are being set free from? I’m glad you asked!

“It was for freedom that Chrst set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.“
                                                                                                                                                   Galatians 5:1
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh-for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
                                                                                                                                             Romans 8:11-13

The truth will set us free. What a concept to dwell on. With such thoughts roaming through your head, there is no time to think on ungodly things. And this is just the beginning! Stay tuned for more on the rest of Philippians 4:8!