Thursday, July 10, 2008

Disciples Indeed

John 8:31 KJV
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

A few things caught my attention with this;
First, this is a bunch unique to those multitudes that had followed Him and then left Him in chapter six. We get distraught when those who claim to be followers walk away, but if we are true to the Word of God, there will be others.

Secondly, and more importantly, Jesus cautioned these that believed on Him. Believing on Him was not His only criteria. He was looking for people who would continue in His Word.

John Gill has this to say
This is the true test of Christian character. ; “he that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me.” In this place, Jesus cautions them against too much confidence from their present feelings. They were just converted - converted by a single sermon. They had had no time to test their faith. Jesus assures them that if their faith should abide the test if it should produce obedience to his commandments and true life, it would be proof that their faith was genuine, for the tree is known by its fruit. So we may say to all new converts, Do not repress your love or your joy, but do not be too confident. Your faith has not yet been tried, and if it does not produce a holy life it is vain....

True discipleship can only be proven with testing. Until such testing, we do not know if a professor is a disciple indeed.

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