John 8:31-36 – “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.”

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’?”

34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.  35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.  36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”  NKJV

So often in life and in search of eternal life we complicate matters beyond the reasonable.  Jesus was speaking to those who believed and declared, “IF…”  When we see “if” it should immediately demand our attention.  If what?  He said, “If you ABIDE in My word…”  The Greek word translated (continue) in the KJV and (abide) in the NKJV is ‘meno’ which means:  abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand or tarry.  It is a word that implies taking up residence and living in a particular place or state.  Jesus is telling them that if they make His word their permanent residence THEN they will be His disciples.  It is more than just believing and repenting of sin it is ABIDING or CONTINUING in the precepts and principles of His word.

He continues by telling them that if this condition exists it will result in them KNOWING the truth and that truth they know will make them free.  It is knowing absolutely or being totally convinced.  When we review the verses which follow we realize that the KNOWING is a revelation of sin and the ravages of sin.  It is an equipping to stand against sin for Jesus revealed that the person who commits sin is a SLAVE, a slave to sin.  The slave does not have longevity to abide in the house but the son does and if we are SET FREE by the Son we are TOTALLY FREE. 

Spiritual freedom is not belonging to a church, although that is good.  It is not attending services, although that is good.  It is FREEDOM from the dominion of sin.  It is FREEDOM to live a life that is in perfect harmony with the will and plan of God.  It is FREEDOM to manifest the true heart and nature of the Living God through Jesus Christ.  Abiding in His word produces discipleship and discipleship pulls back the veil of darkness and allows us to walk into the light where we see truth and truth breaks the chains of sin liberating us.

It is more than a Bible reading plan it is ingesting the word of God so that it becomes part of our lives.  It is more than knowing doctrine it is having the Living Word of the Living God produce life within our hearts and spirits.  It is becoming one with the Word and with He who is the Word of God.

            May the Lord be with you as you move forward in becoming….  Blessings!