This is probably going to be my shortest post, but it will not be any less important to living the best life in Christ possible on this side of eternity.
How many of us have heard the Scripture: "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." Believers and non-believers as well love to quote that Scripture but quoting it does not make a person free from bondage known or unknown. You see, there is a 4 "step" process to gaining true freedom.
Freedom has 4 steps, or rather phases:
Phase 1: Action: The believer must ABIDE , or another translation says CONTINUE, in His word.
Phase 2: Result: Becoming a genuine disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Phase 3: Result: You will know the truth.
Phase 4: Result: The truth shall make you free.
Isn't it just like God do 3 things where we are only required to do 1. All we need to do is follow Him. Then all of these results will take place. We will be His disciples, know the truth, and walk in freedom. What a great deal!
But the opposite is also true: If we do not continue in His word, we are not His disciples, therefore, we will not know the truth and we will not be free. Put in that way, it adds a sobering effect to the notion of ignoring, disobeying, and just plain being ignorant of the ways of God. Thankfully, we have been given a Road Map, a Life Manual, a Love Letter, in the Bible.
Isn't that like us, though? We deny we have a problem and our absolute need for God. Jesus was saying if you do this you would need deliverance later or of another kind because you I am telling a way that guarantees your freedom.
I am sure we all give God a little attitude at times, perhaps some of us more than others. Of course, not on purpose but by our actions we say we know better and do our own thing. In those moments we risk bondage because we are not continuing to follow Him.
This is a journey. Let's do ourselves the favor of following Christ no matter how inconvenient or even dangerous at time. True freedom transcends physical comforts or limitations because we will follow Him all the way into paradise.
Who's in?
How many of us have heard the Scripture: "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." Believers and non-believers as well love to quote that Scripture but quoting it does not make a person free from bondage known or unknown. You see, there is a 4 "step" process to gaining true freedom.
John 8:31-32
If you continue in my word, you shall be my disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free:
31“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are my disciples indeed.
32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Freedom has 4 steps, or rather phases:
Phase 1: Action: The believer must ABIDE , or another translation says CONTINUE, in His word.
I like CONTINUE better because it eliminates the person to "gets saved" then continues to do their own thing. Call it emotional reactionary decision, but whatever it is and for whatever reason, the person does not CONTINUE to follow Christ, obey His Word, submit to His ways, experience a change of heart from carnal being to a spiritual being.
Phase 2: Result: Becoming a genuine disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is the result of walking in step 1. A disciple is one who imitates the master ... what He does, what He says, His views even at times very inconvenient, His decisions, etc. A basic step is believing that every word in the Scripture is true without either error or contradiction.
Phase 3: Result: You will know the truth.
Another result of continuing or abiding in His word. In John 14:6, Jesus tells us that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. So it follows that abiding or continuing to follow Him will result in knowing real truth. By truth, I mean truth as God deems it not man's construct of truth.
Phase 4: Result: The truth shall make you free.
Isn't it just like God do 3 things where we are only required to do 1. All we need to do is follow Him. Then all of these results will take place. We will be His disciples, know the truth, and walk in freedom. What a great deal!
But the opposite is also true: If we do not continue in His word, we are not His disciples, therefore, we will not know the truth and we will not be free. Put in that way, it adds a sobering effect to the notion of ignoring, disobeying, and just plain being ignorant of the ways of God. Thankfully, we have been given a Road Map, a Life Manual, a Love Letter, in the Bible.
The Disciples - and our usual - Response
But then you have the disciples response to this call to freedom. He was basically saying, "Listen, I won't always be with you guys so you have to continue even when I have left in order to be my true disciples, know the truth and walk in freedom no matter what people do to you for my sake." He knew they would be tempted to turn and run when things go tough so this encouragement was crucial. But they didn't get it. Look at their response.
But then you have the disciples response to this call to freedom. He was basically saying, "Listen, I won't always be with you guys so you have to continue even when I have left in order to be my true disciples, know the truth and walk in freedom no matter what people do to you for my sake." He knew they would be tempted to turn and run when things go tough so this encouragement was crucial. But they didn't get it. Look at their response.
33 “They answered Him, “We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free?”They got proud. They denied they even had a need for freedom. Were they saying, we don't need to do what you just told us because we are Abraham's descendants and have not need for freedom. Did they forget the 400 years of bondage in Egypt? It's safe to say, they got a little proud. You would think by then they would have learned.
Isn't that like us, though? We deny we have a problem and our absolute need for God. Jesus was saying if you do this you would need deliverance later or of another kind because you I am telling a way that guarantees your freedom.
I am sure we all give God a little attitude at times, perhaps some of us more than others. Of course, not on purpose but by our actions we say we know better and do our own thing. In those moments we risk bondage because we are not continuing to follow Him.
This is a journey. Let's do ourselves the favor of following Christ no matter how inconvenient or even dangerous at time. True freedom transcends physical comforts or limitations because we will follow Him all the way into paradise.
Who's in?
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Hello,
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. I look forward to connecting with you. In the meantime, please share this blog with your friends and family members.
Blessings in Christ,
Sonia