“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
You can be sure of this (because Jesus says it): as you abide in His word, you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (8:31-32). But where you start matters. Notice the order—first, abide in His Word; second, you will know the truth; and third, the truth will set you free.
Some people miss what Jesus promises because they reverse the order. They think: “I have to answer all my questions and silence all my doubts first; and once I know the truth, then I’ll abide in His Word.” But Jesus tells us it doesn’t work that way. The way to deal with your doubts is to abide in Jesus’ Word. Then, gradually, over time, you will know the truth.
Other people miss what Jesus promises because they put the last part first. They think: “First, I must be set free. There are sins that bind me. I need to sort myself out and once I’ve done that, then I will abide in Jesus’ Word, and I’ll know the truth.” But Jesus tells us it doesn’t work that way either. It cannot work that way because “everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin” (8:34).
Where you start matters, and Jesus says, “Start here.” Start by abiding in His Word, then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. The Christian life is more than one massive effort. It is the presence, power, life, love, strength, and joy of Jesus in you.
Do you have pressing doubts that need to be resolved? Do you have problems that need sorting out? Can you see that abiding in Jesus’ Word is the pathway to resolving your doubts and sorting out your problems?
