Today’s Encouragement is, “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 ESV
Know the Truth –
Notice the progression of thought that Jesus uses; read it as if it were in steps…
1. If you abide in my word,
2. (then) you are truly my disciples,
3. (then) You will know the truth,
4. (then) the truth will set you free.
Abide in His Word.
His Word is multifaceted. It is the Bible’s record of Jesus’ statements during His time on earth with us. His Word also includes the explanation of His good news message throughout the Bible.
And this Word is where we are designed to abide- to dwell, remain, make our home, seek shelter, nourishment, and rest.
And IF we Abide in His Word, then …
1. we are indeed His disciples, His sincere and genuine followers.
2. We will know the Truth
3. And the Truth will set us free.
Now, we do nothing perfectly; we fall short of our own ideals, much less His… and for our human frailty, He has provided His all-sufficient Grace for all our failures, weaknesses, and sins. “His Grace is Sufficient.” Period! (2 Corinthians 12:9)
So daily, often, frequently, we return to His Word to Abide, once again, in Him. And as we do…we remain His disciples, knowing the Truth and truly Free!
Father, we thank You for giving us Jesus and the grace to return to Him, to return to the place You have provided for us to Abide… the place of following Jesus in Truth and Freedom.
Abide
Aaron Williams
Today’s Encouragement 