Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32
What does it mean to abide? It simply means to dwell or to live. Picture a family living in a house and see what they do there.
First, they eat at home. Likewise, a disciple nourishes his or her faith in God’s Word. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). Jesus’ words are like milk that nourishes the life of a new believer and like meat that builds muscle on a mature believer.
Second, they rest at home. To abide in the Word of Jesus is to rest in it. Jesus says to you, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me” (John 14:1).
Third, they submit at home. To abide in Jesus’ Word means we submit to His authority. This will be difficult at times. Your flesh will want to go one way and Jesus will call you to go another. But as you submit to Him, your faith will grow (you will know the truth), and your ability to resist temptation will increase (the truth will set you free).
Finally, they find joy at home. Think of a family home in the time of Jesus—with parents, children, and grandparents. God’s purpose is that the home should be a place where people know that they are loved. To abide in the Word of Jesus is to find joy in His Word. Open the Bible and taste the love of God for you. Find joy in all that He is and all that He has done.
Are you abiding in Jesus’ Word? Which of the four—eating, resting, submitting, finding joy—are you enjoying the most right now? Which do you find most difficult?
