Disciples for Christ International Ministry

C. Paul Wooderson

John 8:31-32

Then Jesus said to those Jews who had 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.”

John 8:31-32 

8:31 – To those … who had believed Him. Jesus was talking particularly to those Jews who had a false belief in Him. “Belief” means “to trust, to have confidence in.” Jesus said to those Jews, “Most assuredly, I say to you unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:53-54). This passage is known as an “analogy.” An analogy is “a similarity in some respects between things otherwise unlike.” To eat the flesh of the Son of Man and to drink His blood is similar to faith in Jesus Christ as the only way to inherit eternal life. When the false disciples heard the words Jesus said in John 6:53-54, they called His words a “hard (difficult) saying.” From that time many of his disciples went back and walked with Him no more (John 6:66)  

8:31 – If you abide in Me … My words abide in you. The word “abide” means “to remain.” To remain in Jesus’s words. John MacArthur says, “A genuine believer holds fast, obeys, and practices Jesus’ teaching.” To remain in Jesus’ words requires faith. The evidence of genuine faith is presented in the Great Commission. Jesus said, Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20)For the disciples who carry out the Great Commission Jesus says, you are My disciples indeed.

8:32 – And you shall know the truth. A genuine, obedient follower of the Lord Jesus Christ will

know (will experience) the divine truth. A truth that Jesus reveals that shows us the real values of life.

8:32 – and the truth shall make you free. This “freedom” means “to be made holy.” The psalmist said, Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast (faithful) spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10).It is a God-empowered freedom from sin that continues from a continued faith relationship with Jesus. Born-again Christians must not only hear His words: they must be united with Him who is the truth.

WHO AM I TO GIVE MY LIFE?

The Apostle Paul said, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). If you continue to put your faith and trust in Jesus, He will continue to transform your life. Jesus Christ will give you a quality of life that is far superior to anything the world can offer (Read John 3:16).

-The Scripture passages are taken from the New King James Version (NKJV)-

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