If I really buy into Jesus’ word, if I really live in it, I am very much a disciple of Him, I will know the truth and that truth will liberate me into the greatness and goodness of God.

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.” – John 8:31-32  ESV

It makes sense that my wisdom would come from spending time in God’s word. Actually, I have to keep reminding myself that knowledge is not the key here, rather knowledge of the truth that sets me free. Who does not want to be free? Is it not true that all of us are a disciple of something or someone? There is only One though whose words set us free. I have heard that my culture today says that to be free I need to be true to myself. Anything less than that is me being in captivity and oppression. I do know that God knows me better than anyone, He created me. I was made to know Him and to be in relationship with Him. So learning from Him is a roadmap to true freedom.

Abiding gives the sense that I am to stay in a given place but not just standing around doing nothing. It suggests that I am doing something and that I am following a pattern. I am pretty sure that I will not wake up one day and say that I have truth or that I have freedom – it is not a moment in time but a journey in time.

So discipleship is not simply a decision of belief at some point in time, but more an ongoing process of following and obedience.

I meet those who declare that there is nothing in the Bible that states they need to read their Bibles every day or have devotions etc. What is interesting is that someone who does not spend much time in the word actually does not know what is in it. Yet they confidently tell me what the Bible says or does not say on a subject matter.

Let’s put it this way – Jesus did not lay down a condition for becoming a believer but He mentions, on several occasions, what characterizes a growing one. In this case, one who is fully engaged in the truth of God’s word is set free and is a disciple.