Knowing the Truth

 

Early in the morning, Jesus was at the temple teaching the crowd who had gathered there.

“He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” – John 8:23-24 (ESV)

They did not understand.

So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.” – John 8:28 (ESV)

While Jesus spoke and continued speaking, many of them began believing in Him, and turning to the Jews who believed, Jesus said to them,

“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)

So, in His teaching, Jesus had earlier declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12 ESV), then having said that, He went on to say to them that unless they believed who He had testified to be, they would die in their sins.

Now to the ones that did believe in Him, Jesus gave the key for escaping the wages of sin, which was “abide in My word”.

That key is a master key, as it first opens the way to true discipleship and knowing the truth, then unlocks the door to freedom. And this is the same exact key that has worked throughout the centuries to this day.

Knowing the truth of God’s word sets us on a collision course to freedom but to do so we must plug in the coordinates by abiding in His word. How does one abide?

We say abide,

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you (John 15:7 ESV)

We sing abide,

“Abide in me. Abide in me.”
The Saviour calls to one and all
“Abide in me.”
For I’m the Vine and you’re the branches
I’m the Potter, you’re the clay
“Abide in me. Abide in me.” (by Mac Lynch)

But do we actually abide?

What does abiding look like? What does the Saviour mean by this command?

 When Jesus, our Saviour says, “abide in My word” it’s His invitation to us to the wonderous oneness of life in Him, for He Himself is the Word (John 1:1 & 14), living and active; this word of Jesus is the power of God for our salvation (see Romans 1:16).

Understand that it is His own Spirit that makes the Word to be spirit and life (see John 6:63).

“Abide in My word” is Jesus’ invitation to spiritual communion, settled companionship, intimacy of fellowship and to be enwrapped in closeness of union in Jesus.

Surely, it’s not enough to just read the Word. It needs time spent in His presence daily feeding on Him as necessary food, as Jesus says in John 6:57 (ESV),

As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me.

We must accept this gracious invitation to live as it is to experience the purity, power, love, joy, fruit-bearing and all the blessings that Jesus connected with abiding in His word. He came that we may have life and have it abundantly (see John 10:10 ESV).

Beloved, the truth is, Jesus has already provided the grace that enables us to abide but we must surrender ourselves completely to a Saviour who surrendered Himself completely so that we may experience by faith all that He has offered to us.

May the grace of Jesus, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be your daily portion as you are set free by knowing the truth.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Knowing the Truth” ©2026 June 2, 2026