If You Abide in My Word: Beyond Mere Belief
Scripture Reading: John 8:30-32
Introduction:
In this passage from John 8, we witness a profound distinction between mere belief and genuine discipleship. Jesus reveals that true discipleship is marked by abiding in His word, a continuous and active engagement that leads to freedom through truth. Today, we will unpack this crucial concept and explore its implications for our lives.
I. Belief vs. Abiding: A Crucial Distinction
A. They Believed, But Could Not Abide (John 8:30-32):
• Many in the crowd believed Jesus' words, but their subsequent actions revealed a lack of genuine commitment.
• They were argumentative (v. 33), indicating a resistance to Jesus' authority.
• They were not free (v. 36), revealing their continued bondage to sin.
• They lacked the friendship of Abraham (v. 37; cf. James 2:23), demonstrating a lack of true faith.
• They did not have the faith of Abraham (vv. 39, 40), revealing their spiritual blindness.
• They were unable to listen (v. 43), signifying their closed hearts.
• They were children of the devil (v. 44), exposing their true allegiance.
B. Abiding: A Continuous Walk (John 8:31, 32; John 14:15):
• "Abide" means to remain, continue, dwell, or stay in a given place, state, or relationship.
• Discipleship is not a one-time event but an ongoing, progressive walk with Christ.
• "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15) emphasizes the connection between love and obedience.
C. Abiding in Scripture (1 Timothy 4:16; James 1:25; 2 John 1:9):
• 1 Timothy 4:16: "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you."
• James 1:25: "But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does."
• 2 John 1:9: "Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son."
II. True Discipleship: Obeying and Knowing (John 8:30-32; Matthew 7:21-23; 1 John 2:3, 5)
A. Many Incorrectly Thought They Were Disciples:
• Jesus' words challenge the notion that mere belief equates to discipleship.
B. No Discipleship Without Obeying (Matthew 7:21-23):
• "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 1 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done 2 many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’" 3
C. Discipleship is Contingent Upon Our Relationship with the Word:
• Our connection to Christ is measured by our obedience to His word.
D. Keeping His Word Proves Our Discipleship (1 John 2:3, 5):
• 1 John 2:3: "Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments."
• 1 John 2:5: "But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him."
III. The Power of Truth: Freedom Through Abiding (John 8:30-32; John 14:6; John 17:17; Romans 1:25; Proverbs 22:21; 2 Timothy 2:25; 2 Peter 1:12; John 8:34-36; Romans 8:16-23)
A. There Is "Truth" (John 8:30-32):
• A body of divine truth exists, revealed in God's Word.
B. Jesus Is the Source of Truth (John 14:6):
• "Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’"
C. Truth Is Found in the "Word" (John 17:17):
• "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth."
D. Some Exchange Truth for Lies (Romans 1:25):
• "who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen."
E. Truth Is to Be Known (Proverbs 22:21; 2 Timothy 2:25):
• Proverbs 22:21: "That I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may answer words of truth to those who send to you?"
• 2 Timothy 2:25: "in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth."
F. Truth Is Given That Men May Be Established in It (2 Peter 1:12):
• "Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you."
G. Truth Frees (John 8:30-32, 34-36; Romans 8:16-23):
• Without truth, no one is free.
• With truth, every slave of sin can become free.
• The Son frees us by truth.
• Without the Son, no one can experience truth.
• Being a slave of sin makes one free from righteousness.
• Being a slave of righteousness makes one free from sin.
- Preaching on Simplicity of a Christian Life (1 Peter 5:5-7)
- Preaching on I Stand at the Door and Knock Revelation 3:14-22
- Preaching on Riches vs. Blessings (Ecclesiastes 6)
Conclusion:
Let us not settle for mere belief. Let us strive to abide in God's word, allowing it to shape our lives, transform our hearts, and set us free. True discipleship is a continuous journey of obedience, marked by a deep love for God and His truth. As we abide in His word, we will experience the freedom and fullness of life that He offers. Amen.
