The Truth Will Set You Free, Part 11

And He answered them and said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!” They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” Mark 9:19-24

Two more essential elements follow if the truth is to lift us out of our insecurity and inadequacy.

The truth of the Scriptures must be received. Webster’s Dictionary defines receive as “to take in through the mind or senses; to permit to enter; to take or to come into possession of.” Truth can be rejected; it can be held at arm’s length. First, we have to receive God’s truth into our inner man. Pride in our resources can hinder that reception. God is a Gentleman; He will not force His ways upon us. We must open the door of our minds and hearts to Him.

Second, the truth of the Scriptures must be believed. Believing means we trust God enough to step out on His promises. We cannot just assent to the Word of God; we must rely on, lean on, and let Him implement His Word in our lives in order for Christ Jesus - Who is “the truth” (John 14:6) - to set us free.

Belief is action. Since God tells us in His Word not to worry (Philippians 4:6), we must stop fretting. Since He says we are valuable in His eyes (John 3:16), we must lay aside our ideas about a lack of our self-worth. When we receive and believe God’s authoritative, liberating truth, we have entered the doorway of freedom.

“This is the work of God, that you believe in Him...” John 6:29