“If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” -Jesus of Nazareth, called the Christ
A disciple would naturally be fully in tune to what the teacher instructs. Jesus is speaking of much more than learning the content of His word. It is crucial that the disciple remember where he, himself, comes from. Any disciple of Jesus is a sinner seeking to be transformed in Jesus. The transformed life is only made possible in Jesus. What He teaches is not only for understanding but for authentic life change. Continuing in Jesus’ word means that the disciple remains consistently focused on living out the teaching of Jesus. Living out? Not understanding! Living is Jesus’ goal!
“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” -Jesus
Many people know about the teachings of Jesus. Fewer live them out on a daily basis. Continuing in Jesus’ word is a focal point to how he works in the life of his disciple. Only when the disciple of Jesus approaches life from Jesus’ perspective will change take place that brings an impact that everyone longs for but few are willing to seek. Freedom. The disciple’s way of life before Christ was all about self. Trying to get through life on one’s own understanding and wisdom. Trying to decide what is the best way to have life in a broken and disappointing world. On the surface this seems to be a very valid and hopeful approach to life. It doesn’t take long for one to realize that we mess it up as bad as everyone else has. A wise but flawed king once said, “There is a way which seems right to a man. But its end is the way of death.” –Solomon. Now Jesus offers a different way and this time this way leads to a life of freedom from failure born in selfishness and shortsightedness. Instead of being focused only on an immediate need. Jesus says that man can live for so much more.
‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” -Jesus
His words are infused with an eternal quality that transforms the disciple’s life. It would be enough to change the way in which a disciple lives but it continues on with much greater blessing. When a disciple lives the quality of an eternal life then he begins to see everything from truth-sightedness (seeing things as they really are). Continuing in, obeying and living Jesus’ words turns into “knowing the truth.” Instead of living based on what one wants the disciples begins to live based on the truth he knows. This knowledge of truth brings freedom from the mortal result of life lived for self. Now his call is to take this same focus to others as his disciples live free from the knowledge of truth realized by an obedient life.
“…teaching them to observe all that I commanded you…” -Jesus
John 8:31; John 10:10; Proverbs 14:12; Matthew 4:4; Matthew 28:20
What do you continue in?
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