I think a lot of people really love babies because they seem to have so much freedom. I mean, I really love how free Asher is.  He can spit up on people, and they don’t care. He cries when they walk up, and they just think “shame, he needs a nap.” He poops in the car when we’re hurrying somewhere, and who can blame him? We were at a special baptismal service with about 150 people when he let one rip BIG STYLE a couple months ago, and not one person was offended. However, one guy a couple rows up was shaking uncontrollably trying to keep himself from bursting out laughing. I mean, look at this face — is this the face of responsibility?

 

I think, though that there’s a deeper freedom we long for as human beings, and it’s not just the freedom to poop in public. Martin Luther King, Jr. and millions of other folks, have quoted Jesus as saying “The truth will set you free.”  But I don’t think some knowledge of the truth will automatically, magically change your life. And I don’t think I’m disagreeing with Scripture here.

Jesus actually said, (talking to the Jews who had believed him) “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”(John 8:31 & 32) So essentially, it’s not just about me seeking to know the Truth in order to find the ability to walk with freedom every day.

The Amplified Bible says it this way: “If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples.” I easily get caught up in the Western way of thinking, assuming that gaining knowledge is going to bring about transformation in me. But it’s actually in the application of that knowledge that I will really find the kind of freedom Jesus was talking about. If I do what He said to do, and only say the things He would want me to say, then I’m His follower, and His truth is going to change me.

In the meantime, I look forward to enjoying Asher’s temporary ‘freedoms’ for a while longer. But I hope to train him to know the true freedom that comes from doing what Jesus said.

The Sermon in a Nutshell: Doing the truth brings freedom. I suppose the meaning and significance of freedom is a topic for another day. But in the meantime, don’t worry. I won’t be pooping in church anytime soon.

xCC