Marks of a True Disciple
What is the mark of a true disciple? In this deep dive into John chapter 8, we explore Jesus's challenging words to those who had believed in him: "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples" (John 8:31).Explore the Word
The Glory of God's Word
Psalm 19 begins with the heavens declaring God's glory—the magnificence of creation captures our hearts. Yet the psalmist discovers something even more precious than the stars and galaxies: the Word of God itself.
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. More to be desired than gold, sweeter than honey—God's Word is a treasure that excites our affections and corrects our frailty.
Revives the Soul
When you're weary, God's Word brings life and renewal to your spirit
Makes Wise
When you're anxious or confused, His Word provides sure guidance
Rejoices the Heart
When you're down, the Word lifts you to a rock higher than yourself
If You Abide in My Word
"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, 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
Jesus speaks to those who had believed in Him, establishing a critical marker of true discipleship: remaining in His Word. This isn't about earning salvation—salvation is by grace through faith alone. Rather, it's about the proof and validation of genuine faith.
Profession
Have you professed Jesus Christ as your Savior?
Affection
Do you love and live in His words?
Evidence
Is Christ seen living within you today?
The Question of Salvation
Are you saved? This critical question requires two answers working together. First, have you professed Jesus Christ as your Savior—trusting in Him alone, not in works? Second, do you love and live in His words?
Beyond Simple Conversionism
The movement of simple conversionism asks only about profession without requiring proof. But the entire book of James, First John, and Christ's own words say that if you have professed Christ, it will be proven out—not perfectly, but with growth, affection, and fruit showing this faith is real.
Your assurance isn't just remembering a moment of decision. It's asking: Do you profess Christ today? Does He live within you? Is there evidence of a living Christ in your life?
Profession
Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone
Proof
True faith produces fruit—the Word living in you and you living in the Word
Perseverance
Remaining in Christ's Word shows you belong to His household
Two Households: Light and Darkness
Jesus confronts the Jews with stark language: you are either of your Father God, or you are of your father the devil. There is no middle ground. The Jews were moral, patriotic, religiously sincere, intellectually serious, and socially organized—yet Jesus declares them children of Satan. Why? "My word finds no place in you."
Household of God
Those who hear and receive God's Word, allowing it to dwell richly within them. They love Jesus and keep His commandments, abiding in His love.
Household of Satan
Those who cannot bear to hear God's Word. The devil is a murderer and liar from the beginning—his children destroy what they cannot bear and deceive themselves about truth.
The litmus test is clear: Does the Word of God find a home in your life? Do you find your home abiding in the Word of God? If Abraham or God were truly your father, Jesus says, you would love Me and receive My words.
The Parable of the Sower
Jesus told a parable in Matthew 13 about seed—the Word of God—falling on different types of soil. This parable reveals the critical truth: fruitlessness is not a sign of spiritual immaturity, but of no spiritual life at all.
Hard Ground
The Word is snatched away before it takes root—no understanding, no life
Rocky Soil
Receives with joy but has no root—falls away when tribulation comes
Among Thorns
Choked by cares of the world and deceitfulness of riches—proves unfruitful
Good Soil
Hears, understands, and bears fruit—yielding thirtyfold, sixtyfold, or a hundredfold
A believer in Christ produces fruit. Different levels, yes—but fruit nonetheless. True disciples love and live the Word, producing a life that reflects the Word of God living within them.
The Cry of the Psalmist
"Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes. Give me understanding. Lead me in the paths of your commandments. Incline my heart to your testimonies. Turn my eyes away from vain things. Confirm your promise. Make it sink deep into my heart and being. I long for your precepts in your righteousness. God give me life."— Psalm 119:33-40
These are the affections of the true follower of God. Perhaps you're thinking, "I'm a long way from there." Praise God for growth, patience, and maturity as the Lord leads us along.
You don't expect your child to go from baby to adulthood overnight. You cherish them and love them in truth, but you want to see growth. Growth is proof of life. If there's no growth, there is no life. But our God is a good and loving Father who shepherds His children from birth to maturity.
Freedom Versus Slavery
The words of Christ bring freedom, while sin brings slavery. This freedom far transcends any political or national liberty—Jesus came to free us from death and sin eternally.
Romans 8:2
The law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death
Galatians 5:1
For freedom Christ has set us free—stand firm and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery
1 Peter 2:16
Live as people who are free, not using freedom as cover-up for evil, but as servants of God
The world will know you by your love for one another, by your righteousness, by your holiness. That's how they know you are a believer—not because you attend church, but because of the fragrance of the Word of God in and through you.
When the Word Exposes Us
Children of the devil hate the Word applied. Many people say they love the Bible—until it's applied to their life. You may intellectually love Scripture until it addresses your marriage, your anger, your deceptions, your lust, your need for control, your insecurities, your love of money, your ego and reputation.
The Scoffer's Response
Proverbs 9:7-8 warns that whoever corrects a scoffer gets abuse. Do not reprove a scoffer—he will hate you. They refuse to receive correction, incurring injury rather than growth.
Rejection
Cannot bear the light exposing their sin
Hatred
Turns against those who speak truth
The Wise Person's Response
Reprove a wise man and he will love you. When the Word exposes us, it hurts—it challenges remaining sin within our flesh. But if that challenge eventually breaks us, we respond: "Thank you, God, for the grace of exposure so I can live and be free in You."
Humility
Receives correction with gratitude
Growth
Allows the Word to transform and free
If you are unresponsive to the rebuke of the Word of God, on what basis do you claim you belong to Christ? First John 4:20 says if anyone claims to love God but hates his brother, he is a liar—for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.
Members of God's Household
True disciples love Jesus, live His words, and stay there. Like the words of the Psalms: "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere." In Him there is true freedom.
Abide in His Word
Make God's Word your dwelling place—remain there, stay there, let it be your home
Live in Community
Walk together with fellow believers, encouraging one another in the Word
Hide It in Your Heart
Memorize Scripture—bring the power of God's Word into your very being
"If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love."— John 14:23, 15:9-10
We are saved by grace through faith alone—may we never lose the wonder that Jesus paid it all. Is that great salvation now seen in you? Is the fragrance of the Word of God evident? Do you remain in it? When the Word is brought to bear, are you convicted? Or do you shut the Bible because you cannot bear to hear His Word?
True disciples love Jesus, live His words, and stay there. The Son who remains forever sets us free—free indeed for all eternity. Help us, Lord, to be a church that endures, little by little being unshackled from sin's effects as we come under and into the Word of God.