....still

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to teachings"  John 8:31 

The word disciple comes from the root word discipline. However, we typically don’t like discipline because it’s hard. We want things fast, and we want things now. We don’t like to wait for anything anymore.

If we want something, we can order it online, and we might even get same-day delivery. If we want to watch a movie, we can download it or stream it. And if we want the latest news, we can get it on demand instead of waiting for the evening news or the morning newspaper.

So, when we read in the Bible about taking up our crosses daily and following Christ, and when we realize that we need to slow down and meditate on God’s Word, it seems almost alien to us. Yet God says, “Be still, and know that I am God!” Psalm 46:10. If we want to be real disciples of Jesus, then we need to slow down and learn to listen.

A disciple will carefully read, study, and live according to God’s Word. Jesus said, “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” John 8:31–32. The Bible says that He addressed these words to those who believed in Him.

Jesus wasn’t referring to just any truth. This is specific, absolute truth found exclusively in Scripture. The context is reading, studying, knowing, and living God’s Word. That truth will set us free.

Jesus prayed to the Father, “Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth” John 17:17. The truth we find in the Bible is the only absolute truth we can be certain of in life. And when we understand what God says about life, it sets us free.

- greg laurie