I started listing to Andy Stanley’s podcast series, “Defining Moments” the other day – very good series! One verse that has been resounding in my head since starting has been John 8:31-32:
31So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
The main reason for this rocking around in my head is because I’ve been teaching through Crazy Love this past quarter at church. There is a ton of stuff in there (and the accompanying scripture) that is life changing and challenging – it hit me when I first read the book, now in teaching through it, its pounding me!
In these verses, Jesus talking to those who believed Him – and were probably having issues with actually living His teaching or following Him (sound familiar). He tells them to keep at it, stick with it, remain with Him, don’t give up,…abide. The truth may be hard to understand or apply, but truth and freedom comes from abiding.
Some notes from my ESV Study Bible:
- V31: To abide in Jesus’ word means to continue believing what Jesus has said and walking in obedience to him. This verse shows that continuing to trust Jesus and obey him is one test of who are truly my disciples.
- V32: This verse is frequently quoted out of context, but the connection with v. 31 shows that Jesus is only talking about one way to know the truth, and that is by continuing to believe and obey his word. set you free. From the guilt and enslaving power of sinful patterns of conduct.
I have truly be challenged by God’s word and Crazy Love. The light of scripture has shown me some areas that I need to work on – my task is to abide. Thank God I don’t have to go it alone – the One who challenges also enables and upholds!
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