Discipleship: Day 1

 

John 8:29-32:  "And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.''  Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.''

 

This is an often quoted and familiar section of Scripture, but I would like to take the time to look at a few things.

 

Jesus defined discipleship here and I believe it is of great importance that we look at just what a disciple is.

 

He said, if you abide in my word then you are my disciple indeed.  Strong’s Bible dictionary says this:  a primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy):    abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry.

 

We have a part to play in this. We are the ones who must do the abiding. It is up to us to remain in the Word and to continue in the presence of God.

God can and will not do this for us. We have to do this for ourselves.

 

There is a reason for us to do this. God wants His children free!  And this is how it starts. When we make the commitment to abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, and tarry in the Word of God and in His presence, then we will change and start to be recreated in the image of God.

We will know the truth and in knowing the truth we will be made free.  Glory!!!

 

Confession:  I make the commitment to abide in the Word of God, and I am His disciple indeed.   The Word of God abides in me and therefor I know the truth and will continually grow in the knowledge and revelation of Him. Knowing the truth makes me free. I am free in Christ Jesus.