While this Sunday is also the 21st Sunday after Pentecost, most churches will celebrate the Festival of the Reformation. Those three readings are Jeremiah 31:31-34 (remember their sin no more); Romans 3:19-28 (no one justified by the law) and John 8:31-36 (the truth shall make you free). The verse for our consideration is John 8:31 which reads, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.”
What makes this verse problematical is the word “if.” Normally, we think of an “if” as pointing to a condition which we must meet. For example, “If you get to the cinema at 5:00 pm, you will see the entire movie.” Note how the condition must be met by YOU or else you won’t see the entire movie. Thus, it appears to make sense that to become a disciple of Jesus you are required to meet the condition of abiding in His word.
How can we justify that interpretation with the rest of the three passages making it clear that God forgives our iniquity (Jermeiah 31:34); that no work we do can justify us (Romans 3:20) and that the Son makes us free (John 8:36)? As has been our custom for this entire blog series of sermon reviews, the solution is found in making the proper distinctions between Law and Gospel.
Those who live under the Law are those who are required to meet the demands of God. Those demands can be in the form of Ten Commandments, ceremonial laws, civil laws or the need to abide in His word! Those who live under the Gospel are those who repent of their inability to meet ANY of the demands from God yet rejoice in the revelation that what is impossible for us is not impossible for God.
For in Christ, the Ten Commandments and the entire law is fulfilled which fulfillment is then transfered to us as our sins are transfered to the cross. But how can the demand to abide in the Word be something done by God if we are the ones to abide? The answer can be realized by asking this question. “When believers find themselves in heaven, to whom will they give all the credit for their salvation?” The unanimous answer will be the Holy Trinity.
For it is indeed the Father Who created us, the Son Who redeemed us and the Holy Spirit Who not only brings us into the one true faith but keeps and holds us in that same faith. John 8:31 therefore is understood not as a command we are to fulfill but rather a promise from Jesus Himself as to the blessing of being a disciple of His because of the work of the Holy Spirit. This is most certainly true.
Name:Tom Baker
Or another way of reading it that would bring us to the Cross would be to take this statement of Law and enlargen it so people would realize that they really can’t remain, continue, abide in his word all the time, and thereby showing them that they can’t keep this command totally or perfectly. The Gospel is our only answer for us sinners.
Is it possbile to understand the text as saying that those who God has forgiven and justifed will continue in the Word of God?
Would what you are saying still be true if the verse was talking about believers? I think it still would be an example of living under the law, but I’m afraid my pastor would interpret this verse as an exhortation for believers to remain in the word and sacraments. I’ve heard this verse used to try to make people see that they need to be in a Bible Study.
You have rightly concluded that in the L&G scheme of things, the Gospel is always the answer to our inability to meet the demands of the Law. Good insight.
To Trevor I would agree with your conclusion because the only individuals that continue in the Word of God are those who are members of the family of God; that is, those who have received the gift of the forgiveness of sins and justification.
And to Anonymous of Oct 30, while I don’t disagree with your pastor that Christians should be encouraged to attend Bible study, making this verse an exhortation to do so would change a promise into a command. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” in Hebrews and other such passages are more in tune as an exhortaton. To take a passage of promise and make it one of exhortation is to confuse L&G.
Tom
I feel like I understand the reptile in my son’s bedroom who is shedding his skin all the time.
I use to think as a Theologian of Glory.
Now it amazes me how I think. I just don’t find any glory in me anymore and really, I am not disappointed.
I realize I can’t think correctly about it. It is not until I start thinking about it do I realize how wrong my natural thinking is about it!
I am very happy with being adopted! I did not have to think about that.
I like the way Brother Martin thought it through:::>
“I BELIEVE THAT I CANNOT BY MY OWN REASON OR STRENGTH BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST MY LORD OR COME TO HIM, BUT THE HOLY GHOST HAS CALLED ME THROUGH THE GOSPEL, ENLIGHTENED ME BY HIS GIFTS, AND SANCTIFIED AND PRESERVED ME IN THE TRUE FAITH.” [explanation on the Third article]
I like the way Lazarus came to HIM. He started out DEAD to God, died and was buried away. Jesus said: LAZARUS come forth and then Lazarus came to KNOW Jesus and then had to do it all over again.
As one fellow said wondering what Lazarus was thinking when it finally got to him that a contract was put out on his head too, “hmmmmmm” Lazarus might have thought, BEEN THERE DONE THAT? maybe??
I don’t know anymore, but I sure sleep better thinking about it.
1Co 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
1Co 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
thanks
michael