Read -- John 8:30-32. There are several key truths that Jesus makes known to those who truly believe and who become His genuine disciples.
First of all, "many believed on Him because of His words", the words of truth (v. 30). It was His teachings that produced faith, and made a difference in their eternal security and salvation. Those who believed had now begun the heavenly trek, the spiritual journey. The way of a disciple will be hard at times; the light might become dim too. Tears may flow and heartaches may happen! In the process of their belief they would become more settled as they progressed on this spiritual journey, and one day they would come to the gates of the city.
Secondly, by holding fast to His teachings and continuing in His word, they would prove themselves to be disciples indeed (v. 31). Who are the true disciples? True disciples are those who "continue" to follow Him, relying on His Word totally though sometimes not fully understanding it. The true disciple obeys Him because he or she trust Him and know His character -- not because you understand every command He gives you. Jesus said, "It is the Spirit that quickeneth: the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). The words (Jesus' words; God's word recorded in Scripture) . . . are spirit (spiritual not fleshly), and . . . . are life (make alive; produces the God-kind of life). Jesus knew that some of the Jews believed in Him; therefore He built on that faith. He instructed them to build on their faith and prove their discipleship by continuing, abiding, remaining, or staying in His word. By doing so it will make a difference in our life as a genuine disciple of Jesus Christ. "My" in "my word" is emphasized to stress the message of Jesus' word as opposed to any other. As His disciples continue to cling to His Word, the doubts would dissipate and the assurance of the truth would become settled. True disciples are those who continue to follow Him, seeking the truth, and totally relying upon Him and His Word or teachings. "If you continue in My Word . . ."
Third, it is Jesus' will that His disciples abide in His Word and come to "know the truth": a truth that will set the disciple indeed free (v. 32). Yes, knowing the truth makes a great difference. Not knowing the truth keeps you in bondage (even though as a son and daughter of Abraham by faith in Jesus Christ you have a right to be free); knowing the truth will set you free. The end result of abiding in His Word, adhering to His teachings, and continuing in His Word is that the Word will progressively become clear; and it will eventually liberate the disciple from all that has held him or her in bondage or captivity. This statement is similar to two other passages of Scripture in John: "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine . . ." (7:17); and, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (17:17). Again, Jesus is instructing His disciples in a more perfect way. He says to them, the Father in heaven can only consecrate them in the sphere of truth; and make them holy and devoted in and by the truth. The truth is His Word. His truth makes a difference in one's life. God's Word is Truth. His message is Truth. His Truth makes the true disciples of Jesus Christ holy in every way. See -- Psalm 119:9.
The conclusion of the whole matter is that the "Truth" makes a difference. How much of the Truth do you know? How has knowing the Truth made a difference in your own personal life?
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"What lies behind us and what lies before us, are
tiny Matters compared to what lies within us."
____ Kathleen Marie
Awakener: Salem, MA
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From the Jewish Perspective:
There is a move of God where He is stirring up the hearts and desires of a remnant to return to the root of Judaism (without trying to become a Jew), and study the Scriptures and texts of Scriptures from a Hebraic or Jewish perspective. There are many benefits and blessings for those who pursue such a divinely inspired study and remain discipline to it. Yes, "It is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes."
The question many may ask is, "Is there a need for such a study? I am saved, and I believe." The answer to this question may vary from person to person. Whereas I truly believe there is a need for such a study. I also believe, that some of us have been called by God for such a study. The Jewishness of Jesus, the Bible, and benefit of Torah study can transform our faith and minds (our way of thinking and seeing, believing and behaving). Ann Spangler said, "It was the Jewish people who preserved a faith upon which our own is built." I say, "It was the Jewish people who passed on and gave us such divine instructions from God for living life here on earth; and who also gave us the Messiah of God, the Savior, Redeemer, Lord, and King.
First of all, we should desire to come into the full knowledge of God; and to learn how to properly interpret the Scriptures, and have revealed to us every interpretation of Scripture possible, or that can be known. It is difficult trying to interpret Scriptures without Yeshua [the Hebrew name for Jesus] who must open up our eyes and understanding (Luke 24:25-27, 44-49), the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 16:12-15), and Israel (1 Corin. 10:11; Romans 15:4).
The Bible is basically a Hebrew book, written by inspired Hebrew men (with the exception of Luke, a Gentile writer), who all lived in that land of Promised -- Promised by God to their father Abraham. We need to seek to join them where they were sitting; and to think with their Hebraic mindset within their culture and custom to gain a better understanding and increase in the knowledge of God's rich depth of meaning in Scripture. Therefore, it is imperative that New Testament Messianic believers in Yeshua (Jesus) look at and study the context of certain Old Testament texts from a Hebraic perspective and the concrete meaning of certain Hebrew words. It is necessary for us to revisit the Scriptures and try to rediscover or have revealed to us by the Father in heaven some new insight and rich beauty in the Jewishness of the Bible and of the Messiah. We need to know and understand how both the Jews and Gentiles are to relate to one another in the Church, in Christ as the "one new man"; and in the plan and purpose of God in the ages.
Stay tuned!!! We will be sharing a lot more on this subject matter. Especially for those who God is calling to such a study -- for such a time as this!
