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Truly Disciples of Jesus - John 8:31-32
Truly Disciples of Jesus - John 8:31-32
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Jesus here shows that being a disciple is MORE than being a believer. Of course a disciple must believe that Jesus was raised from the dead, that He is the promised Messiah (Christ) of the Old Testament, that He is the Son of God, and a myriad of other such teachings. A disciple not ONLY believes (mentally assents to such historical propositions of truth), but also lives following the principles that are taught by the teacher.
Following Jesus sets one free from being a slave to sin. We were forgiven of such sins and thus are free from the condemnation that comes from judgment. We are raised to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-4). We are made ‘slaves of righteousness’ (Rom. 6:16-18). We are sanctified - set apart unto God (1Cor. 6:9-11). We are made new in Christ (2Cor. 5:17).
Abiding in the word of Jesus is not just about what we teach but also what we practice in life. IF we practice sin while claiming to be a follower of Jesus, we lie and do not the truth (cp. 1 John 1:6). Such life-style change is foundational to the whole trust - repentance teaching of the New Testament. John would later write, "No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him” (1John 3:6).
We not only trust Jesus to save us from our sins, we trust Jesus to teach us how we ought to live. He is our Lord and His word is our rule of life. Our moral judgments are based upon His teaching. To abide in His word is to live by them. Paul shows this two-fold concept when he wrote, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col. 3:16-17).
Jesus reminds us of this in the great commission where making disciples of all nations involves teaching them to observe all things whatsoever HE has commanded (whether in his personal teaching or through his chosen ambassadors, the apostles & prophets of the NT).
Are you abiding in Jesus? Does His word abide in you? Are you truly His disciple?
Hugh DeLong
