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Jesus' statement in John 8:31 is loaded with significance: "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples." This is huge, even before we get to the well-known verse 32 that follows ("and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.")

At least these five questions call for answering:

1) What does it mean to “truly be Jesus’ disciples”?
2) What is Jesus referring to by the phrase “my word”?
3) What does it mean to be “in” that word?
4) What does it mean to “abide” there?
5) What’s the relationship between abiding in his word and truly being his disciple?

The world is not only divided into two categories (disciples of Jesus and non-disciples), but three: non-disciples of Jesus, true disciples, and untrue/phony disciples of Jesus. 

There are real and unreal disciples. Authentic and inauthentic disciples. Discipleship that is merely outward, and discipleship that goes down to the root. It is into this complicated scenario that Jesus speaks in John 8.

So whether you are a true believer in Jesus, an unbeliever, or a phony believer, these words of Jesus are meant for you.

Watch, listen, or download "If You Abide In My Word, You Are Truly My Disciples."

Topic: Identity in Christ  

David Mathis (@davidcmathis) is an elder at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Twin Cities, and works as executive pastoral assistant to John Piper. He and his wife Megan have twin sons (Carson and Coleman) and live in Minneapolis. David is co-editor (with John Piper) of Thinking, Loving, Doing, most recently, and Finish the Mission, forthcoming. Yep, he plays rec softball and went yard in his last game.