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To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my work. I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have hear - d from your father.”

 

John 8:31-32, NIV - “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

 

John 8:31-32 NKJV – “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 NLT – “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

 

These three translations of verses 31-32 bring forth the phrases “Hold on to”, “abide in”, and “remain faithful to”. All three involve ongoing action, not a one-time event. I believe that is what Jesus is trying to get across to us here. It is not enough to just say we believe. We need to continually be learning what He taught, trying to live our lives as He instructs us, and we must be in relationship with Him.

 

Jesus is the TRUTH and knowing Him is what sets us free. Free from what? We know that our sins no longer condemn us, Jesus paid that price. We no longer feel we need to earn our way to heaven, that we can never be good enough, so that frees us from feeling we must be perfect. We can have that “Peace that surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) with Jesus, which doesn’t rid us of troubles and problems, but frees us from hopelessness. The list of freedoms is varied and numerous. I’m sure you could add a few to the list from personal experience.

Abide, hold to and remain faithful to the teachings of Jesus, our TRUTH.

 

Heavenly Father, Thank you for sending Your Son Jesus to be the Way and the Truth and the Life for us. Please bless us as we get to know Him, and You, by abiding in His teachings and putting them into practice in our own lives. Amen

 

Kris Messmer

kmmessmer@charter.net

 

Prayer Concern: Those who feel hopeless.