If
You Abide In My Word!
Jesus
said to those who believed in 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.
Jesus
is talking to those who have put their faith and trust in
Him, or who are in the process of getting to know Him. And
He is telling them that those who will study the word of God
in the Bible and live by His values, they are His disciples
in very fact, and His disciples will know the truth, and the
truth will give them freedom!
Only
in the Word of God do we find a reliable record and understanding
of where we came from, why we are here and where we are going.
The Supreme Being of the Universe has revealed the past to
us in relation to this earth in the Scriptures; we live in
the present and may be informed of what's happening in the
world around us and, if we are open to it, we may study the
Scriptures for the values and laws our Creator has shared
with men and women from as far back as the creation of our
first parents; and He reveals the future to us, again in the
Scriptures, if we are willing to study them to discover what
He has to say about the future.
Solomon
wrote, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but
the glory of kings is to search out a matter" Proverbs
25:2. God shares His messages and His blessings with those
who will study His word. His word to David was "a lamp
to my feet and a light to my path" Psalm 119:105 and
much more. Jesus is telling His followers to study the Word
of God; it will be a blessing to them.
Many
in the world today claim to be disciples of Christ, they call
themselves Christians but often do not act like one. How do
you distinguish a follower of Christ from those who call themselves
Christians but who bear little resemblance to His likeness
and instructions? There are several characteristics that come
to mind - "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; "To the law and to
the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word,
it is because there is no light in them" Isaiah 8:20;
And Jesus told His disciples the night before His crucifixion,
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another;
as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this
all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love
for one another" John 13:34, 35.
These
three characteristics are basic and they are repeated again
and again in many ways throughout the Scriptures. Christ's
disciples live by the Word of God! Jesus addressed this when
He was confronted and tempted by Satan in the wilderness and
He quoted Scripture, "It is written, 'Man shall not live
by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth
of God'" Matthew 4:4; Deuteronomy 8:3.
When
Christ's disciples study the Scriptures, they come to know
and understand God and His instructions to them. He shared
His law and testimony to prophets, kings, shepherds, farmers
and many other writers of the Bible. Paul commented on some
of the values we receive from Bible study when He wrote, "All
Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction
in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly
equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16, 17. When
teachings are shared with us that do not square with the Word
of God shared through His messengers, "it is because
there is no light in them."
Possibly
the most important instruction that Jesus shared with His
disciples was when He commanded them to love one another as
He had loved them (John 13:34, 35). Jesus demonstrated His
love for them in so many ways throughout His ministry. And
He fully gave Himself for them, and for everyone who will
put their faith and trust in Him when He allowed Himself to
be crucified on the Cross as "The Lamb of God who takes
away the sin of the world" John 1:29. "Greater love
has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his
friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you"
John 15:13, 14. Jesus has given the ultimate sacrifice for
His friends. Sharing God's love with family, friends and neighbors
is possibly the greatest evidence of being Christ's disciple.
In this
series of Meditations we will explore for hidden treasures
in the Word of God. God's treasures are the values that He
shares with us to live by; His instructions and laws. He does
not ask anything of us that He has not already done for us.
God through Jesus Christ is our Teacher and Friend. He is
our best Friend when we allow that relationship to develop.
|
