A little true story to introduce this series of articles will be useful. A number of years ago my aunt, whom I always referred to as, my beloved aunt, had an occasion to speak the words, “It will be marriage or nothing.” Here is what happened.
My uncle died and unknown to my aunt, her high school “sweetheart’s” wife also died. She lived in Oklahoma and he in California. He was a member of the Bob Wills Texas Playboys. You older folks will remember Bob Wills and his “western swing” kind of music. He was in Oklahoma making a “Bob Wills Reunion” tour. To make a long story short, my aunt went to hear him and at first sight, their love was reborn. After spending some time together, he turned to her and said, “We’re gonna have to get married or something.” At which time my aunt said: “It will be marriage or nothing!” This brings us to the title under which this series of articles will be written: “It is truth or nothing!”
With this introduction, let us notice the importance of truth! Our first text reads: “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; (32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). Here, Jesus is addressing Jews who believed on him before the cross. They did not have the “truth” at this time, but if they would “continue in” his word, in the teaching he was doing, then, they would come to know the truth as it would be delivered on the first Pentecost after his ascension.
The “truth” is the word of God, just as Jesus would pray: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17). In this context, Jesus is praying on behalf of those who would be his apostles. The word “sanctify” is the Greek “hagiazo” and means, “to separate from profane things and dedicate to God.” They would become the living orators of the gospel; thus, separated from the common into the spiritual service of God, through Christ.
The “truth” in John chapter eight, is not freedom from the Romans, as Jesus would have nothing to do with such, but it is freedom from the thing mankind needed most. It is freedom from the wages of sin. Here it is freedom from the wages of sin through the “truth or nothing!” As freedom from the wages of sin is only realized through the “truth!” It is more than likely that we do not fully understand just how great the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus really was; for on this day, for the first time in all of human history the gospel – the “truth” – was preached for the lost to obey it! It was the day of freedom from the wages of sin, in all its fullness, was first announced! Here was what all mankind had needed from the first sin ever committed. The way of true and total freedom from “the wages of sin” was now reality! Life from death, as Paul wrote: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). Notice, as Paul wrote, it was not “just” freedom from “the wages of sin” now, but unto eternal life.
Now, just what else has the ability to free mankind from “the wages of sin?” Nothing, but the truth, the gospel of Christ! Someone may object, “I thought it was the blood of Jesus.” Give some thought to this, the blood of Jesus runs through the gospel of Christ, from beginning to the end! You cannot find the blood of Jesus anywhere else! As Jesus said: “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matt. 26:28). If you look at the gospel and do not see the blood of Jesus, your spiritual eyesight is blind!
Friends, it truly is “the truth or nothing!” It is totally reasonable to say to you, give all it takes to find “the truth,” as it is “the teaching of Christ! Nothing else, when obeyed, will give you freedom from “the wages of sins!”
— Frank R. Williams