John 8:31-32 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." New International Version (NIV)
As I read today's verses and passage in John 8 this morning the words that first caught my attention were "hold to". I am more familiar with "abide" as used in some translations. Other translations use the word "continue" or "remain" and "live by". They all "hold" the same basic meaning. God's Word and the life of Jesus give us words to hold onto, to live by, not for just a day or a time in our live but always. We are to remain and continue in what we have learned and long to know more.
In our lives we may "hold to" many different things. There may be a moral code that we hold to, a code of ethics. We may "hold to" a diet to lose weight or to help monitor our lives against a disease or an illness. Some will have to avoid sweets if they are diabetic or follow gluten free diets to avoid other digestive or allergic conditions. If we go against those things the we are to "hold to" there are often consequences.
For the Christian, in remaining, abiding, and continuing in faith we will see progress, progress in freedom, we will be "free" in verse 32, and have the promise of freedom for the future, not to be enslaved by those things that can harm us, or break our relationship with Christ.
What is it that you "hold to" to in life? May it be said of us that we do hold to His teaching, abide in His Word and continue in it to guide our lives, to make us and keep us free.
Blessings,
Mike
If the Son Sets You Free
31-32 Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. "If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you."
33 Surprised, they said, "But we're descendants of Abraham. We've never been slaves to anyone. How can you say, 'The truth will free you'?"
34-38 Jesus said, "I tell you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave. A slave is a transient, who can't come and go at will. The Son, though, has an established position, the run of the house. So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through. I know you are Abraham's descendants. But I also know that you are trying to kill me because my message hasn't yet penetrated your thick skulls. I'm talking about things I have seen while keeping company with the Father, and you just go on doing what you have heard from your father."
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