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Love Identity & Purpose, Part 4
Another way to get the correct view of God is to abide in His Word. In John 8:31-32, we read “Then, Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” As followers of Christ, abiding in His Word, which is written for us in the bible, will help us to walk in truth. This is because the Word (the Bible) reveals the truth of who God is.
In his first epistle, the apostle John writes to three types of people. These are not chronological age groups, but three levels of maturity. 1 John 2:12-14 tells us, “I write to you little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. I write to you, fathers because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father, I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.”
As we allow the Word of God to abide in us, we learn how to defeat the enemy because we know the truth and the truth makes us free.
In this passage we see little children (young believers) who realize they have been forgiven of their sins and they have known the Father. We see young men who overcome the wicked one, because they are strong, and the Word of God abides in them. We see fathers, who know God, who is from the beginning. As we progress on our spiritual journey, we first come into the kingdom of God. Then, as we allow the Word of God to abide in us, we learn how to defeat the enemy because we know the truth and the truth makes us free. Finally, as we overcome the wicked one, we grow in our relationship with Him, who is from the beginning, and we begin to walk in fellowship with Him.
If you are a parent, you understand this truth as you help your children grow up. When they are babies and toddlers, and even elementary aged, you tell them exactly what to do, what is safe, what to avoid, etc. As they get older, you begin to entrust them to make good decisions, because you’ve been training and showing them the way they should go. Finally, as they become adults, you don’t tell them how to respond in situations because they’ve been learning all along from you through relationship together. It is the same way with our Heavenly Father. When we become reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, and we abide in His Word, He begins to show us who He is and who we are with Him. As we grow in relationship through communion with Him, we become co-laborers to advance the Kingdom of God on earth, as it is in heaven.
Let’s Pray
Heavenly Father, I thank you that you are good and that you have good in store for me. As I abide in Your Word, reveal to me every aspect of who you are that I might know you and make you known to others. Thank you that as I grow in revelation of who You are, I learn how to overcome the enemy and I become strong in You. Help me know You, who is from the beginning in a real way today. In Jesus name, Amen.
