Marks of a True Disciples

Big idea: What marks a true disciple?

Background: This passage is pivotal to understanding true discipleship. John emphasized this by stressing truth and freedom. Jesus desired to see them move on in their faith. Mature faith expresses itself in full commitment to the truth in Jesus resulting in freedom. Here we will see the marks of a true disciple and how one progresses in faith.

1. Marks

v31: who had believed 1st mark of TD. Those who had already placed saving faith in Christ. Likely on the beginning of their journey of faith. abide in my word 2nd mark TD. continual study of the Word and obedience of the Word is evidence on genuine faith, of a true disciple. “Abide” means to habitually abide in Jesus’ words. A true disciple holds fast, obeys, and practices Jesus’ teaching. Real disciples are both learners and faithful followers. know the truth “truth” here doesn’t just reference Jesus as the Messiah and as the Son of God, but also to the teaching He brought. An obedient follower of Jesus will know divine truth, not merely intellectually, but by commitment to Christ.

v.33: They same unbelieving Jewish leaders who had been opposing Jesus throughout conversation. We see their opposition in John 8:13, 19, 22, 25. Just like the previous conversations, they did not understand His message. Jesus was speaking about true spiritual freedom, freedom from sin, but they were thinking about political freedom. Never been enslaved to anyone would be a false statement that is refuted very clearly in the OT. Jews enslaved by 7 nations in Judges. Ten northern tribes carried away captive to Assyria, 2 southern tribes had 7 years of captivity in Babylon, and at that very hour the Jews were under rule by the Romans. Perhaps they were referring to their inward sense of freedom. They missed their bondage to sin.

V.34: truly truly this is a phrase emphasizing the importance and truth of the coming statement everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin Literal translation “Whoever keeps practicing sin is the servant of sin.” What is the difference between spiritual freedom and spiritual bondage? Jesus explains it is matter of son or servant. Servant may live in house, but he isn't part of family, and he has now guarantee of a future. In John 8:21,24 Jesus reveals that the religious leaders would die in their sin, but they were living in bondage to sin at that very moment.

V.36: How can slaves of sin be set free? Only by the Son. How does He do it? Through the power of His Word. Notice emphasis on the Word in John 8:38-47, and in verse 32 He has already told them “the truth will set you free.”

V.37: you seek to kill me Jewish leaders, claiming to belong to Abraham, were very unlike Abraham. First off, they wanted to kill Jesus. Abraham, on the other hand, is called “a friend of God” in Isaiah 41:8 and fellowship with Him in love. Abraham listened to God’s truth and obeyed it, but these religious leaders rejected the truth. my word finds no place in you These religious leaders would not “make room” for His Word in their hearts.

V.38: We see debate centering around the word “Father.” Jesus identified Himself with the Father in Heaven, but He identified the religious leaders with the father from hell, Satan. Of course, the Jews claimed Abraham as their father, but Jesus made a very careful distinction between “Abraham’s seed” (physical descendants) and “Abraham’s children” (spiritual descendants because of personal faith).