Finding Truth Through Discipleship

Engage in sacred Scripture – read John 8:31-37.

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32 NKJV

Famous Quote

This famous phrase can be found on many of our campuses. The Main Building (the Tower) at the University of Texas at Austin is inscribed with “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”

Several other schools and institutions have inscribed it on their buildings. Do you remember if these words were inscribed anywhere in your old school? Did you know the CIA Headquarters displays these words prominently on a plaque?

Just a Phrase?

The phrase means something to every student and CIA agent as they seek the truth in their own way. But this verse is not complete, and the way to the truth is unclear. There’s only one way to the truth. Could we find a Holy Bible on the desk of the President of Austin University or the Chief of the CIA? Are the words of Jesus there?

The truth can not be found any other way.

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” John 8: 31-32 NKJV.

Liberty?

Neither the student nor the CIA agent is known as a disciple of Christ. Taking hold of Christ’s teaching makes a difference. True liberty comes from knowing the truth, abiding in it, and being led by the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of truth. The intellect, emotion, and will must know the truth to move in the truth.

Truth is not forced on a soul. The truth will set them free, but they must willingly accept Christ – the Word.

The True Disciple?

Listen to Jesus’ words carefully:

• If you remain in My Word
• You are truly My disciples
• You will know the truth
• The truth will set you free

Discipleship does not begin when we choose to take a Bible class or take notes from Sunday’s sermon. It begins the moment we believe what Jesus says is true. What is true about God’s love, salvation, sin’s death grip, and the meaning of life? The true disciple knows the answer to that question because they have the Word stored up in their hearts.

In Him are the riches of wisdom.

Remains in the Word

The true disciple consistently remains in the Word. Not just the “red letters”, but the whole Bible.

Sacred Scripture is God-breathed. Jesus is the Word. To abide in the Word is to abide in Christ – taking into our souls the very breath of God.

Knows the Truth

The true disciple is a lifelong learner. The closed mind is the end of discipleship and the beginning of sin’s death grip. Then we do not know what we do not know.

Ignorance chains us to the fate of eternal death.

More than just “taking up the Word to read”, we must immerse ourselves in the Word. To abide is to remain, and to remain is to live in His Word. We cannot, on our own, understand the Word without the illumination of the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of Truth. With the Spirit of Truth and the Truth (Jesus), we are free from deception and the torment of lies.

Obeys the truth

Knowing the truth is not enough. The true disciple obeys the Word. Anyone can read the Word, but the one who follows the Truth will be set free. Intellectual appreciation is not enough. We learn in order to know the truth so we can freely do what is right in His eyes.

Freedom is not free. If there is no Christ, then no word, and if no word, then freedom is an illusion.

The truth is, we must take Christ at His word.

Lives in the truth

By knowing His sovereign will, we live. In obeying His moral will, we move. The true disciple remains in His personal will with all his or her being. This is the truth!

For in Him we live and move and have our being… Acts 17:28a NKJV.

In Conclusion

You will know the true disciple. The word will be engraved on their heart, secure in their mind, and safe in their soul.

The student at Austin University is not a disciple, nor is the CIA agent. But this one thing they know for sure. The truth is of great value, and it will set you free. What you don’t know will hurt you.

The true disciple knows the truth and lives by it. They will never hear these words from the Master: “My words have no place in you.” *

Take Away?

The true disciples are close enough to Jesus to hear, know, and obey His word. They will not be moved or chained down by deception. The truth will set the free.

Pray, asking the Lord to lead you into true discipleship.

Take up the Word and make it a way of life. The Lord your God is with you, and the “true disciple” knows it’s true.

Be free indeed!

May the Lord richly bless you in Spirit and Truth. Amen

*John 8:37b NKJV.