Over the next three months we will be looking at some of the characteristics of how to grow as a disciple in the marketplace. We are starting with the word of God.
Abiding in the word
John 8:31 (ESV) 31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples“
In the gospel of John, we have the first mention of “disciple” in Chapter 8. Here Jesus is clearly speaking to believers, those who have trusted in Jesus for their salvation. Now He wants to challenge them in how to have that closer fellowship with Him, how to continue in their belief.
Firstly they had to believe, the first step in faith and obedience to Jesus; now He gives a condition: “if”. If, a choice; something that requires a decision from us. To be a disciple and take the relationship further we must abide in the word. Here is a clear instruction on how to be a disciple – abide in the word.
What does abide mean?
To abide in the word means to allow it to be part of your life; to welcome the word; to be at home with it; to live with it continually and allow it to influence your actions, how you speak and how you behave. To be rooted in what it says, in order to bring development of your character toward holiness.
Part of this is being hungry for the scriptures, to feed on them, digest what is written and then apply this in our lives.
Then Jesus says “you will truly be my disciples”. This is different to a believer; it is to become a learner in the spiritual realm.
Why should we read the word?
When we read the word, it will illuminate our thoughts and decisions.
Psalm 119:105 – Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
The word is all we require for teaching us and correcting us in our growth towards righteousness, equipping us with everything we need.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
The word will highlight areas of our life that require attention, including what we do, think and say.
Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
The word instructs us to do what is says.
James 1:22 – But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
The above scriptures require effort and commitment to meet the requirements. This is the true position of a disciple, someone who daily wants to submit to the will of the Father, and is a lifelong process.
Our walk with Christ is related to the time we spend in His word. As we dwell in the scripture, God will continue to show us, equip us and teach us. God’s desire is to keep working in our lives, and this is not independent from the word of God.
Knowing the truth will set you free
John 8:31-32 ESV
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Jesus continues his conversation with believers: by abiding in the word you will know the truth, and this will set you free. This freedom is beyond that of obtaining salvation. What is this truth?
Verse 33 Demonstrates how the world thinks: the Pharisees answer Jesus, they are not believers and reply from a physical world understanding.
33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”
For the Pharisees, it was all about what they could experience in the present world, how they saw things from their limited viewpoint. This is an insight into reading the Gospel of John: the answers that Jesus gets when he asks questions are based on this physical level. The freedom and truth that Jesus wants to bring us is based on a spiritual level that only belief in Jesus can bring. Freedom for the Pharisees was from slavery and taxes, but they even denied their history of being enslaved in Egypt and currently under the Roman Empire.
Jesus will bring us freedom from the slavery of sin, freedom in our wrong thinking and behaviour. Now we have access to the Holy Spirit living in us, only possible because of the death and resurrection of Jesus. The Holy Spirit, if we allow him, will teach us and guide us into freedom, using and explaining the word of God to us as we abide in the word, developing us as disciples.
What did Jesus say about his own words?
Jesus said that his words come directly from God.
“My teaching is not mine but his who sent me.” (John 7:16)
Jesus said that his words are spirit and life.
“It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (John 6:63)
Something that we need to grasp is the eternal nature of the word of God, and that his words will be around for ever.
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33)
Jesus says his word will be around forever. What better reason to find out more about the scriptures and have understanding now that will be with us in eternity.
Conclusion: Abide in the word
I hope that you have been challenged to read and study the word and therefor grow as a disciple. I leave you with the choice of Joshua and the blessing that Jesus promises on reading the word:
Joshua 1:8
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Luke 11:28
“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
More in this series: