The Truth
September 26, 2015
John 8:31-32 “31 … Jesus said, “If you continue in my word, 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.””
Jesus said, “If you continue in my word, you will know the truth.” He didn’t say, “If you know my teachings, if you memorize my words, if you have facts about the Bible, you will know the truth.” He said, “If you continue in my word, you will know the truth.” The word continue means abide, hold on to, and remain. So He is saying, “If you hold on to my word, live in my word, stay in my word, you will know the truth.” I love the Jerusalem Bible translation, “If you make your home in my word, you will know the truth.” The more you dwell with someone, the more you hang around somebody, the more truth you will discover about that person, the more you will know them. Virginia and I have known each other our entire lives. My parents and her parents were very close friends. We played together and went on vacations together as children. I knew her; she knew me, but we really didn’t know each other until we began to dwell together every day in marriage. When we first got married we learned things about each other we didn’t know. Some were good things and some were annoying things, but through the years we have learned deeper truths,. We have learned what makes each other sad and happy, feel loved and unloved, what makes us laugh and cry. We have held on to one another and we have made a home and after 38 years our life together is better than ever. Jesus said, “Make my word your home. Live in it. Hang around it. Hold on to it. In the ups and downs of life, dwell in the word and you will know the truth.” Only the truth can bless you.
Jesus said, “If you continue in my word, you will know the truth.” He didn’t say, “If you know my teachings, if you memorize my words, if you have facts about the Bible, you will know the truth.” He said, “If you continue in my word, you will know the truth.” The word continue means abide, hold on to, and remain. So He is saying, “If you hold on to my word, live in my word, stay in my word, you will know the truth.” I love the Jerusalem Bible translation, “If you make your home in my word, you will know the truth.” The more you dwell with someone, the more you hang around somebody, the more truth you will discover about that person, the more you will know them. Virginia and I have known each other our entire lives. My parents and her parents were very close friends. We played together and went on vacations together as children. I knew her; she knew me, but we really didn’t know each other until we began to dwell together every day in marriage. When we first got married we learned things about each other we didn’t know. Some were good things and some were annoying things, but through the years we have learned deeper truths,. We have learned what makes each other sad and happy, feel loved and unloved, what makes us laugh and cry. We have held on to one another and we have made a home and after 38 years our life together is better than ever. Jesus said, “Make my word your home. Live in it. Hang around it. Hold on to it. In the ups and downs of life, dwell in the word and you will know the truth.” Only the truth can bless you.
– Dr. Tim Thompson