31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
It is important to see that verses 30 and following refer to the same group of people. They “believe in” Jesus at a point in time. The issue in verses 31 and 32 is discipleship, something that takes place over time.
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him,
Jesus challenged those who believed on Him to test whether their faith was dynamic. The Jews who believed on Jesus need to develop their faith. They needed to fully trust His word.
“If you abide in My word,
To “abide” in Jesus’ word is a test to determine the strength of their faith. The word “abide” means to remain. The issue here is adherence to Jesus’ word or teaching. People who adhere to Jesus’ word direct their life by it. They have no casual attitude toward revelation of Himself.
you are My disciples indeed [truly].
A disciple is literally a learner. A disciple “indeed” or truly is a disciple who faithfully believes his teacher’s word. There is a difference between a mere disciple and a disciple “indeed.” This is a person who lets the word of Christ take hold on his or her soul.
Jesus did not lay down a condition for becoming a believer here but simply indicated what characterizes a growing believer. The person who fully engages with the truth that Christ communicates is a disciple “indeed.”
PRINCIPLE:
Full engagement with Jesus’ word produces a dynamic faith.
APPLICATION:
There are those people today who are inclined to think that Jesus may be true but cannot bring themselves to fully believe Him; they cannot accept the revelation of Himself to men.
Dynamic faith produces growth in Christ. Growing believers personally engage with the truth that is in Jesus.
Hi this is what the commentary says from the Bible Knowledge Commentary by Dallas Seminary:
John 8:31-32 Jews who had believed Him indicates that some paid attention to Jesus’ words without necessarily committing themselves to Him personally(cf.6:53). It was possible to “believe” in the message of Repentance and the coming kingdom without being born again. Continuing in the truth is the sign of true followers and learners (disciplies). If they really grasped His message, they would find salvation truth. Knowing this salvation truth would liberate them from their bondage in sin.
#1. This makes it sound like belief plus committment to following Christ is needed for salvation because it says it was possible to believe without being born again? #2. It says that It was possible to “believe” in the message of Repentance and the coming kingdom without being born again. What does this mean and what is the context since we are saved by believing? To me this again would infer committment is needed for salvation as well? But then that would counterdict Ephesians 2:8-9; would it not?
It also says that Continuing in the truth is the sign of true followers and learners (disciplies). What does continuing in the truth mean? This also sounds like true believers (saved by faith) have believed and committed to following Christ? With that being said if someone said to get saved that you have to believe/ rely on Jesus’ death on the cross for the forgiveness of your sins plus you must committ to him ; would that be adding works as a condition to believing for salvation? Or is it saying that only true believers really end up committing to follow Jesus? Thank you
Hi –since im on the topic of commitment I have copied and pasted a salvation tract from deceptioninthechurch.com which states:
The Bible says:
“In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth,
unless a man is born again,
he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:3
… Since our sin separates us from God, we must first repent of our sin. Repentance means not only feeling sorry for our sin, but also humbling ourselves before God and then turning from our sin.
The Bible says:
‘Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the Lord,
and He will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for He will freely pardon.
Isaiah 55:7
…Then we must confess all our sins to God and ask Him to forgive them. Only God can forgive sins against Him.
The Bible says:
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful
and just and will forgive us our sins
and purify us from all unrighteousness.
I John 1:9
… Next we need to have faith. Faith is believing that God hears my prayer and forgives all my sins; that when I ask Jesus to come into my life as Lord and Savior, that He does; that when God says He will make me His child, He really does.
The Bible say:
“Yet to all who received Him,
to those who believed in His name,
He gave the right to become children of God.
I John 1:12
… We need to turn our whole lives over to Christ, making a complete commitment to Him and asking Him to be our Lord and Savior. At the same time, we need to renounce any connection from the past with evil spirits, magic, and witchcraft, claiming the cleansing and protecting power of Jesus’ blood.
The Bible says:
“I know whom I have believed and am convinced
that He is able to guard what I have entrusted
to Him for that day.” II Timothy 1:12
A prayer you can pray:
Here is a sample prayer you can pray. This is not a magic prayer. It is only a guideline on “confessing” that you believe and want to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn now from all my sins and any connections with evil from the past. Please forgive me and wash me clean with Your blood. I now humbly ask You to come into my heart and life and be my Lord and Master. I give my life totally into Your hands. Thank You for Your mercy to me, and for making me a child of the Father. Isn’t this adding works to simply believing on the Lord Jesus for salvation by His finished work on the cross for the forgiveness of ones sins? Thank you very much
Scott, take a look at this page: https://versebyversecommentary.com/articles/doctrine/terms-of-salvation/