So, Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, if you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.
John 8:31-32 AMPC
Being encumbered with religious activities is not enough. In fact, merely listening to God’s word and just believing is not sufficient. We must test the words, filter it, accept the truth from the plausible, and then obey. To obey, we must actively engage with it, allowing it to transform our lives. Active engagement with God’s word involves seeking understanding, and applying what we learn. We must not simply hear God’s word but actively allow it to shape and direct our lives. We must not passively accept every word we hear but actively seek out the truth and obey it.
Meanwhile, living in accordance with the word of God must be a lifestyle, and not an occasional action. When we hold on to the truth of the gospel, we prove ourselves to be true disciples of Jesus Christ. For the truth we hold on to (obey) will be evident in our lives. That is the height which the Lord wants every one of us to reach.
“…and the truth will set you free.” It is only the truth that you know and obey that is able to bring you the promised freedom. You may have heard about it but never experienced freedom for yourself. It is not that the truth has lost its potency to set free, it is for you to believe and live daily in accordance with this truth.
Our relationship with God is not just about belief, but also about action. Living in accordance with Jesus’ teachings, makes us experience the freedom that comes from being released from the bondage of sin.
By prioritizing our relationship with God and committing ourselves to living in accordance with his teachings, we can find a sense of direction and purpose that is often missing in our fast-paced, technology-driven society.