Jesus told the Jews who said they believed in Him, “If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the Truth and the truth shall make you free.”
—John 8:31-32
TRUE BELIEVERS abide in the Word of Christ. This is how they demonstrate they are truly disciples of Jesus Christ — they continue to trust in Him and obey His Word. A disciple is one who follows a certain teacher. Muslims are disciples of Muhammad since they follow His teachings. Buddhists are disciples of Buddha because they follow his teachings. In the same way, Christians are disciples of Jesus Christ because they follow His teachings.
JESUS IS PLAINLY saying in our text that those who follow Him are those that continue to believe and obey His Word. He says, “If you abide in my Word you are my disciples.” To abide comes from the Greek term “meno”, which means to continue, remain, or dwell. Jesus is saying that a believer continues to follow the Word of God throughout his life. That’s the essence of being a follower of Christ. That’s how you demonstrate Jesus is your Lord — you obey His Word and desire His Word to control your life. A true disciple of Christ is one who hears the Word and desires to submit to the Lord Jesus Christ no matter what the consequences or cost may be. A true disciple says, “Lord, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” And this attitude is not a one-time event, but something that continues life-long in the believer because, by faith, Christ now dwells in the heart, and as a result the believer begins to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
WHAT ABOUT YOU? Are you abiding in the Word of Christ? Maybe you say, “I’m not sure if I am.” Well, is it characteristic of you to continually and constantly submit to Christ’s rule in your life? I am not talking about practical perfection, but characteristic direction. Do you delight in Christ’s revealed will (His Word) and His providential rule in your life? How do you respond to unpleasant situations in life? Do you rebel or do you accept adversity at the hands of the Lord? Job responded in this way, “Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” (Job 2:10). You see, a disciple is one who accepts the will of the Lord, whether it be pleasant or unpleasant, and as you continue in Christ’s Word you will know the truth and the truth shall make you free.
Tuesday Encouragement: September 3, 2024
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry
