John 8:31-32 - Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, "If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. [32] You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." -- World English.
The word "disciple" refers to being a pupil, a student, of a person or a certain philosophy. In the broad sense of the world, one can be a student of the Bible without actually becoming a student, a disciple, of Jesus. Only if one -- as a student of the Bible -- has an active goal of making the words of Jesus their own philosophy as actually applied in life can it that the Bible student is also a disciple or student of the Lord Jesus. And then, it is not a matter of simply vocalizing an acceptance of those words, but to be a disciple of Jesus means to continue in those words, giving application of the words of the Lord Jesus in all affairs of life, and even beyond this life. It is a resolved commitment for eternity.
Having remained in his Word, our Lord promises that then we will know the truth, and the truth would set us free. In stating this, Jesus was referring to specific truth. He was not referring to knowing the truth about everything in the entire universe, although for those who become join-heirs with Christ, it is possible that when they are exalted along with Jesus to such a high position of glory, they will be enabled to understand almost everything about the universe. In the present age, however, we can only hope to understand certain truths as revealed in the Bible, and that understanding is relative to our growth in such understanding. (Colossians 1:10; 2 Peter 3:18) Sadly, it appears that many of the consecrated may remain as "babes in Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:1) all their lives in the present age, making very little progress in the way of the truth. May we always seek to grow in knowledge, and as understand truths as revealed in the Bible, we will be correspondingly be set free from errors related to that truth.
Having remained in his Word, our Lord promises that then we will know the truth, and the truth would set us free. In stating this, Jesus was referring to specific truth. He was not referring to knowing the truth about everything in the entire universe, although for those who become join-heirs with Christ, it is possible that when they are exalted along with Jesus to such a high position of glory, they will be enabled to understand almost everything about the universe. In the present age, however, we can only hope to understand certain truths as revealed in the Bible, and that understanding is relative to our growth in such understanding. (Colossians 1:10; 2 Peter 3:18) Sadly, it appears that many of the consecrated may remain as "babes in Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:1) all their lives in the present age, making very little progress in the way of the truth. May we always seek to grow in knowledge, and as understand truths as revealed in the Bible, we will be correspondingly be set free from errors related to that truth.
Related:
Daily Heavenly Manna for March 20
Bible Standard (comments and other aids)
Freedom in Christ
Prisoners of the Mind
Being Set Free
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