And the truth shall set you free!! How many times have you heard that line?! Christians and non-Christians alike throw it around as if it’s a limp noodle – a cliche used to flippantly point out the need for truth. But to quote Pilate, “What is truth?” In John 8, it is a statement of hope spoken by Jesus about following steps on how to get the truth and what it will do.
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.”
John 8:31-32
Even as I read these living words from The Bible and remember these words literally came from the mouth of Jesus himself, I find it fascinating that in a statement regarding truth, we typically don’t even quote the whole truth He was stating. We diminish it to only what we want to hear – I’ll be set free! How often are we hearing only the easy part of truth… the reward of truth… the release of truth. As most sinful humans, we want the reward without the responsibility. Just like when Jesus told the crowd of accusers to cast the first stone if they were without sin. Of course no one does! And Christians and non-Christians, again alike, are quick to use that line. Yet rarely do we hear someone quoting how that story finished, which was Jesus telling the woman to go and sin no more! Everyone conveniently or unknowingly leaves that line out!
Truth isn’t easy! Truth isn’t free! Jesus said you’ll be set free so that is true… but how? What is the full story of the truth setting us free?
It all started with a conversation with those who believed. Think about that! Jesus was speaking to Jews that chose to believe what he was saying was true. They accepted the free grace of God. Imagine grace as a plant. You can’t buy it or grow it from a seed. It must be given to you from God and you take hold of it. Now what? Does that plant live without care? If you set it on the windowsill never to touch again, will it grow? What if you throw it in the closet? Will it bear fruit? God’s grace in us produces fruit when we do our part.
So, as we continue, keep in mind Jesus’ audience – believers of who He said He was. Now let’s listen to His words to this group.
Jesus stated a four step process which would lead to their freedom… our freedom! Jesus opened with an “IF”. That means “if” we, “then” He! So funny how often we miss the “we” part. I missed that part! We scream ‘where is my freedom’ while neglecting our part in receiving it! Jesus stated one IF clause. Not multiple… no hoops… no red tape. Just one requirement – ‘abide in my word’.
Four simple words, yet do we adhere to them? We think if we read the Bible, we abide. We think if we attend Sunday services, we abide through the hearing of someone else’s teaching. We think because we ‘feel His presence’ at a worship event, we abide. None of that meets the requirement Jesus set forth.
Before we move on to what abiding is, let’s be clear about something it isn’t. I was just reminded of a common, trendy word I’ve heard many preachers use in reference to our relationship with God… or when we invite Him into our life or commune with Him – “synergy”… the context is that our relationship with God creates synergy. It’s like they’ve tried to use “synergy” instead of “abide”. If a pastor uses “synergy” in any way referencing God, your discernment should perk up. In NO WAY do we have synergy with God. Abiding does not mean synergy.
Definition of Synergy – the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.
I don’t care how fun and fancy it sounds or even if the intent is benign. It is a false and blasphemous statement! Read the definition again. By its definition, the person using this word in reference to God is stating that something or someone else combined with Him makes both God and that thing or person better… greater. God is perfect… full… complete… whole… not needing anything or anyone. No one and nothing can make Him better or greater. Abiding in Christ does not make Him better; it only makes us better. Listen with ears of discernment and don’t swallow everything you’re served.
Now that we can see, abiding isn’t synergy… it’s not making Him better, nor is it making our combined efforts better, what is abiding? Abiding means He is the source of everything for me.
Abide by Biblical definition means to continue in… live in… dwell… abode.
The Greek word for abide “meno” means to continue in. Abide is consistent… never ending. His word becomes where we live. Jesus is The Word. We live in Him; He lives in us!
I feel John truly understood the secret and the value of abiding. ‘Abide’ can be found 9 times in the gospel of John and 18 times between 1 and 2 John. That’s half of the times ‘abide’ is mentioned in the Bible. John knew the power and necessity of abiding.
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:4-5
To abide in Christ means to keep up a habit of constant close communion with Him – to be always leaning on Him, resting on Him, pouring out our hearts to Him, and using Him as our Fountain of life and strength as our chief Companion and best Friend. To have His words abiding in us is to keep His sayings and precepts continually before our memories and minds and to make them the guide of our actions and the rule of our daily conduct and behavior. – JC Ryle
Abiding takes discipline. Abiding takes a deep desire and longing to know Him. Abiding takes sacrifice. Abiding takes trust. We don’t want to act outside of or against His word. Living in His word creates new desires within us. Because we abide in His word, by His Spirit, we can discern truth.
Jesus’ requirement to abide starts the process. Then what?
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.”
John 8:31-32
Here’s the real if then statement – If you abide in my word, THEN you are truly my disciples. By doing step 1, abiding in His word, we are then and only then His disciples. We need to stop believing that one lifted hand saying we believe in Jesus makes us His disciple. Clearly, based on His words, it does not. Remember – Jesus was speaking to believers. The process of continually abiding in his word changes us into disciples.
Have the wisdom and fear of the Lord to ask yourself – If I believe in Jesus but don’t abide in His word, am I His disciple?
Moving on:
Then we will know the truth – truth is not subjective. In a world where everyone decides their own truth, vague, ambiguous truth tries to reign. Christian, follower of Jesus – there is absolute truth and it’s God’s truth. When you abide in His word and therefore, become His disciple, you know God’s truth. Actual truth. Solid, concrete, never changing. Abiding in His word reveals truth. Abiding in His word builds up your discernment. Abiding in His word gives you a healthy fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom. Knowing His word helps you be able to determine truth from partial truth, because the enemy often uses partial truth to deceive. Partial truth isn’t real truth; it’s a lie. Now, abiding in His word turns us into His disciples which leads to step four – freedom.
It is now knowing God’s truth that works freedom into our life – freedom from the slavery of sin, freedom from deception, freedom from death, freedom from the bondage of this world! True freedom!
So, believer, move forward and abide. Disciple, dig deeper in your abiding. Stand for truth and press onward towards freedom.