Our Lord makes a revealing statement that is recorded in John chapter 8. He is speaking to Jews at the time of the Feast of Booths at the Temple (John 7:14). Among the crowd there are Jewish leaders who are seeking to kill Him, but many among the common people are listening to Christ with great interest. We read, “As He spoke these things, many came to believe in Him. So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free’” (John 8:30-31). These two verses address several important issues that are often neglected. First, we will find in the context that there is a mixed group. It says, “Many came to believe in Him.” In reading that we know that not all in the crowd are demonstrating belief. Christ first addresses those who are believing in Him. These hold His chief interest. In modern evangelism we would consider this a ripe situation. Most methods used today would include trying to lead those believing to follow a prescription of repeating words to invite the Lord into their heart and claim Christ as Savior. This would be followed with a scripted prayer of salvation. When this is completed, most would say – “You are now a Christian!”

We not only do not find our Lord addressing the believing persons of the crowd in a manner as just described, nor do we find such a description elsewhere in Scripture. But instead, Christ stresses continuance in His Word. What does this mean? He uses the terminology, “truly disciples.” The word disciple means being a learner or follower. They were beginning to believe that Jesus was worthy to follow. They were thinking He could be the Messiah, but from Christ’s words there is a difference between being disciples and being true disciples. Christ says you are moving in the right direction, but you have yet to arrive. All true Christians are disciples, but not all disciples are truly disciples according to our Lord’s definition. Those described by our Lord have a form of faith, or at least a starting point. They are expressing interest as compared to those who have given Christ no consideration. However, they have not arrived at saving faith. The sobering reality is that Christ knows the difference in every person. He knows His own. Our faith must be genuine according to the Lord’s terms.

What our Lord stresses is, “If you continue in My word.” This is key to what He clarifies as necessary for a right relationship with Him. We know from other Scriptures that God uses His Word to change hearts and lives (Rom. 10:17; James 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23). The nature of these verses leaves no exceptions. He only uses His Word, and the person who hears and receives His Word demonstrates a special relationship to that Word. Here it is spoken of as, “continue in My word.” This relationship to the Word is inseparable from a right relationship to the Savior. The word translated continue is meno in Greek. It means to abide in and remain. It is the same word used of our Lord to His disciples in John 15:5, where just before the cross He says, “Abide in Me” and then He says, “Without Me you can do nothing.” Abide is the word meno. The idea carries the same attitude as Psalm 119 where the writer uses 176 verses to explain how much he loves and depends upon God’s Word.

Back in John 8:32 He tells us why continuing in the word is essential. He says, “You will know the truth.” Think of the influence of our surroundings. Our society has a war on truth. Satan has been able to relegate truth to a lesser position. Yet, God tells us that nothing is more significant than the truth. The Bible is the source of the transforming truth that we desperately need (John 17:17).  And God’s Word is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16). There is nothing else that can replace it or do the transforming work of God in the heart (Heb. 4:12).

Finally, note the outcome of what God’s Word does for us. He says, “And the truth will make you free.” This statement by Christ caused a debate among the Jewish leaders who claimed they were not enslaved to anyone. They had no understanding of their sinful condition. Christ will respond in John 8:34, “Everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.” There is our big problem. A problem that is obvious, and yet they were as blind to it as people are today. Many have embraced the idea that all that is needed is something religious to express faith. Evangelicals press people to accept Jesus as Savior and claim those who do are fixed for heaven. However, to be delivered from our slavery to sin and to trust Christ, and to really find Him in a transforming and eternal saving manner requires the power of the Word to do its work in our lives. God’s Word must be taken seriously and prayerfully. Anyone who is concerned or unsure of their salvation should commit themselves to a prayerful wholehearted study and continued saturation in God’s Word. Peter says, “You do well to pay attention (to the Word) as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts” (2 Pet. 1:19). God’s salvation comes with a hunger for God’s precious Word. Continuing in the Word brings supernatural dividends far superior to anything. There are no shortcuts for this or any other methods. May we all continue in the Word of God, being true followers of our Lord, and ever growing, but never satisfied, until the day He takes us home.