Articles
True Disciples
True Disciples
By Greg King
Jesus is very plain when describing who truly belongs to Him. He is very plain about what is required to truly be His disciple. Many religious people today try and over simplify the words of Jesus while others try to complicate it. Notice what He says, “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed 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.” Jesus tells us that something is required in order to truly be His disciple. Notice that it is simply not believing. He tells those who believed Him that in order to truly belong to Him that they must continue to live in His word. He identifies three things that will occur when one abides (lives) in His word. One, they are truly His disciples. Two, they will know the truth. Three, they will be set free.
His words are important. He said in John 12:48, “The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.” True disciples obey Him in all things. They do not challenge His words or ignore His words. They do not try to change His words to fit their thinking.
His words are truth. “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17) The truth can be found and known. The truth can be lived. One must set aside their own ideas and beliefs and follow the words of Jesus.
Only His word will set us free. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36) We can be set free from the bondage of sin and doubt if we will simply abide in His word. Following and obeying His word determines whether I truly belong to Him or not. Are you a true disciple?
