THE LIFE OF FAITH AND THE GLORIOUS CHURCH - 2009
                                                        FEBRUARY 21st

 
                                                                                                 "IF YOU ABIDE IN MY WORD"

 
          ...."If you abide in My Word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free"....

                                                                                                                                                                                                               John 8:31-32  NASB
 

        One of the first revelations the believer will receive when they are truly seeking God from a pure heart will be to separate themselves from the "world" - and unto the Word [Will] of God. Many people quote verse 32, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free", but they ignore the first part of that instruction which says, "If you abide in My Word". In other words, if you make your "home" in My Word, THEN you are truly disciples of Mine and it is THEN that you shall come to know the truth and that [revealed - "known"] truth will set you free [empower you to enter into the perfect liberty that is your inheritance, in Christ].
 
          ...."They answered Him, "We are Abraham's offspring, and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that you say, you shall become free?" Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. And the slave does not remain in the house forever; the Son does remain forever. If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed. I know that you are Abraham's offspring; yet you seek to kill Me, because My Word has no place in you".... vs.33-37
 
          Jesus, through a "word of knowledge", is looking into their hearts, and He clearly perceives in their hearts that Satan is attempting to work through them to kill Him - and because their hearts are hardened towards God, His words have no place in them.
 
          ...."I speak the things which I have seen with My Father; therefore you also do the things which you heard from your father." They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you are Abraham's children, do the deeds of Abraham. But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. You are doing the deeds of your father". They said to Him, "We were not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God." "If God were your Father, you would love Me; for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word".... vs.38-43
 
          The reason they could not hear His word was because of the rebellion and idolatry in their heart, and it will be the same for anybody in this last hour who "allows" their heart to be hardened towards the Father and His Word by remaining in heart-fellowship with the world - and its fear-filled and "religious" ways. They will not be able to "hear" His Word or discern His voice - and NEVER has it been more "imperative" for the child of God to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, than in this last hour.

Related Scriptures: 2 Corinthian 3:17;


                                                                                                                            *****