John 8:31-59 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed;… These words suggest — I. THAT A KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH MAY BE SECURED. II. THAT THIS KNOWLEDGE IS MENTAL AND EXPERIMENTAL. III. THAT EXPERIMENTAL KNOWLEDGE IS ALONE SAVING. IV. WHAT IS THE ESSENTIAL TRUTH, THE EXPERIMENTAL KNOWLEDGE OF WHICH MAKES FREE. 1. We may know the truth as we know language, science, etc.; as a mass of doctrines; Christ a historical character like Pilate. All this knowledge may have no effect on the heart or life. 2. The new man obtains his knowledge by a different process. He experiments, verifies, proves. Truth becomes the prevailing principle of action, and enthrones itself. To be sure a man must become possessed of Christian facts and doctrines. These are the bones for the body of holiness. 3. An experimental knowledge of the truth frees man morally, and from the bondage of merely human views, and introduces man into the broad province of ideas world wide in their grasp and extending back to the Creation. 4. The condition of the freedom promised by Christ is belief in His Divine sonship, "as many as received Him," etc. The emancipating power of this truth is made to us — (1) Wisdom, by enlightening us and thus freeing the mind; (2) Righteousness, by justifying us and thus freeing us from the law; (3) Sanctification, by purifying us and thus freeing our hearts: (4) Redemption by the union of them all, thus purchasing us into blessed immortality. (J. M. King, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; |
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