“As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:30-32 (KJV)
John F. Kennedy wrote: “Liberty without learning is always in peril and learning without liberty is always in vain.”
“Continue in my words” that is learning. Not knowing is awful and perilous. Any doubt? Get behind the controls of an airplane. Your liberty will be short-lived because of your lack of learning. Some study is essential. Not simply a reading. Some thinking and careful consideration is required. Not simply a hearing. Some doing is required.
“If you continue in my words,” Jesus said, “then you are truly my disciples.” His disciples are committed to His words. His disciples depend upon His words. His disciples know the liberating power of His words. His disciples will not accept anything but His words. Real, genuine disciples of Christ obey His words.
Two great benefits come from this “continuing” in his words. First, there is knowledge of the truth. “You shall know the truth.” The truth is knowable and you can know it. Too many people don’t want to know the truth because they have to give up their opinions. The truth has to be taught. The truth has to be practiced. No more interpreting the Bible just any old way. Continuing in his words makes us interpret what he said not what we wish he had said.
The second benefit of continuing in his words is: truth brings freedom. “The truth shall set you free.” Note that Jesus firmly grounds freedom to knowing the truth. And he firmly grounds learning that truth in obedience to his words.
Dear Father, thank you for enabling us to know the truth through Jesus Christ. Grant that we may continue in and obey everything that our Lord has commanded. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today as true disciples,