Chapter 9: Rationalization of Mankind

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Since Jesus spoke what God told him to say, the proper translation of

this verse would be as follows. Once you believe, you start to abide in the Word. As you abide or “live in” the Word, you become Disciples of Jesus Christ. At that time, you will know the truth. Finally, then the truth shall make you free. This is a five-step process to getting set free with truth.

1. Believing in Christ [and his Father our God]. 2. Abiding and living in Christ’s word [the word of God]. 3. Becoming a disciple of Christ [another servant of God].

4. Knowing the truth [not learning but “knowing” from God]. 5. Getting set free by the truth.

It is important to realize that Jesus said this “to those Jews who believed Him.” Therefore, believing in God and His Son was the very first

condition. A sincere heart is a companion to real belief. The above verse in John is just another way of saying Christ will open up your understanding to truth. The source of all truth lies within God’s Word. To stand for the truth means that you are rational and are taking your emotions out of play.

“For if we are out of our minds, it is for God; if we are rational, it is for you.” 2 Cor. 5:13 NAB

In the above verse, the Apostle Paul uses the word “rational” to make a contrast between “speaking in tongues” [without understanding to man] vs. speaking in plain language that all can understand. Speaking in tongues is a language of the spirit in which God’s Holy Spirit interprets what we speak.

This is the only use of the word “rational” in the entire Old and New Testaments. However, the Apocryphal book of 4 Maccabees in the NRSV12 translation contains the following verses.

“The subject that I am about to discuss is most philosophical, that is, whether devout reason is sovereign over the emotions. So it is right for me to advise you to pay earnest attention to philosophy.”