31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you continue in my word,[a] you really are my disciples. 32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32 CSB)
“If you continue in my word”.
Some translations use the term abide instead of continue. Both make it clear that to be true disciples we must not simply believe, but we must abide and continue. I think both words hold relevance in a similar but slightly different way that is important. In fact making both very valuable to the statement.
To abide is to stay within. To accept something and to put value in what we are hearing, reading or experiencing.
To continue is to move forward. To accept a course of action and stick to it.
Thus the reason I like to use both word translations because it means to be true disciples we must move from belief, to abiding to continuing.
Once we have received the word of God as truth and accepted Christ salvation we have done step one.
As we abide in The Word and to begin to allow it to permeate your being we are given the strength to continue. It is important to know that scriptural truth can guide you throughout life.
Believe, abide, continue.
