Letter to the Editor ‘You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free’ |04 March 2017

I would be grateful indeed if the writing below finds favour in your eyes, and qualify to be published for the benefit of our nation.

My intention is driven out of sincere desire to pursue the mission “Jesus is the Answer” campaign, and to bring a simple teaching, in order to avoid that God’s word is misused or misinterpreted.

Over the past few months, the sentence “you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” has been used frequently to associate it with the setting up of the National Commission on Truth and Reconciliation. Many people understand that this sentence is from the Bible. To be precise it is found in the Gospel of John chapter 8 verse 32, from the NIV version, the full sentence reads: “THEN you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”. The adverb THEN implies a condition, and that condition is found in verse 31. Jesus said: “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.” v.32 “Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

What are Jesus’ teachings? Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” In John 8:36 Jesus said: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”  WHO is the truth then? not what is the truth? Based on these scriptures, it is clear that Jesus is the truth and Jesus is the One who guarantees true freedom to those who obey His teachings.

Jesus gives us joy and happiness while choosing to remain in grudge, resentment and bitterness cause us misery. Jesus heals the broken heart and the Holy Spirit restores our inner being whole again. Jesus is the Hope when we are in despair. Jesus is our strength when we are weak. Walking with Jesus does not mean we will never encounter problems in our way, walking with Him means He will lift us up when we fall down. He will carry us through when we are no longer able to walk. Walking with Him means victory over death and evil. Having Him in us assures us eternal life.

God the Father loves us so much that He gave His son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for the remission of our sins. When we come to Him with sincere repentant hearts, our past does not matter to Him. No matter how horrible our past looks like, God does not look at that because the blood of Jesus His son washes us clean and purifies us as white as snow. In Jesus, we are a new creation. What matters to Him is if we allow Him to govern our life, our nation. What matters to Him is if we keep on obeying His teachings. What matters to Him is if we love Him more and strive to maintain that intimate relationship with Him.

Yes, like many other nations, Seychelles has an ugly past, but since 2007, God said that He has Seychelles in His hands. He is taking control and He has moved in ways our human mind cannot comprehend, and He still has great and marvellous things in store for us. Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

So, once again, the call is upon those in this nation who claims or considers himself or herself a Christian, follower of Christ, to stand firm in their faith and obey Jesus’ teachings.

Here are a few passages from the Bible that can help us go in the right direction when it comes to unity and reconciliation:

Matthew 5:43-44 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Matthew 6:14-15 “If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Colossians 3:12-14 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if anyone has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Let us bring glory to God by living these values everyday and be guided by His Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit and move in power to bring transformation in Seychelles.

Tiana Morel

“Jesus is the Answer” ministry seeks to challenge those who consider themselves Christians to strive everyday into the likeness of Jesus Christ: in attitude, speech, actions. This ministry also promotes Christian unity by putting aside all denominational barriers. The Body of Christ shall rise and build the kingdom of God, the church without walls.