Many people begin with faith in Jesus.
They hear the gospel.
They believe.
They may even make significant changes in their lives.
But the New Testament raises another important question:
IS BEGINNING TO FOLLOW CHRIST ENOUGH, OR MUST WE CONTINUE IN HIS WORD?
Jesus answered that question directly.
JESUS SPOKE TO PEOPLE WHO BELIEVED
John records:
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;”
(John 8:31, KJV)
Notice who Jesus was addressing:
THOSE WHO BELIEVED ON HIM.
Yet Jesus did not tell them that belief gave them permission to stop listening to His Word.
He said:
IF YE CONTINUE IN MY WORD
↓
THEN
↓
ARE YE MY DISCIPLES INDEED
Following Christ is not merely about how we begin.
It is also about whether we continue.
TRUTH MAKES US FREE
Jesus continued:
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
(John 8:32, KJV)
What determines truth?
Not our feelings.
Not religious tradition.
Not popular opinion.
Jesus prayed to the Father:
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
(John 17:17, KJV)
Put the passages together:
CONTINUE IN CHRIST’S WORD
↓
KNOW THE TRUTH
↓
GOD’S WORD IS TRUTH
↓
THE TRUTH MAKES FREE
THE FIRST CHRISTIANS CONTINUED
After approximately three thousand people obeyed the gospel on Pentecost, their obedience did not mark the end of their responsibility.
Luke tells us:
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
(Acts 2:42, KJV)
Notice:
THEY OBEYED THE GOSPEL
↓
THE LORD ADDED THEM
↓
THEY CONTINUED STEDFASTLY
Christianity was not merely a moment of conversion.
It became their life.
WE MUST ABIDE IN CHRIST
Jesus used another picture:
“Abide in me, and I in you…”
(John 15:4, KJV)
Then He warned:
“If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered…”
(John 15:6, KJV)
The word “abide” carries the idea of remaining.
Jesus did not teach:
COME TO ME
↓
THEN IT DOES NOT MATTER WHETHER YOU REMAIN
He taught:
ABIDE IN ME.
PAUL WARNED CHRISTIANS TO CONTINUE
Paul wrote:
“Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God… toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.”
(Romans 11:22, KJV)
Notice the word:
IF.
“…if thou continue in his goodness…”
The Christian life requires perseverance.
PAUL HIMSELF KEPT PRESSING FORWARD
Paul did not believe that because he had obeyed the gospel his work was finished.
He wrote:
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,”
(Philippians 3:13, KJV)
Then:
“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 3:14, KJV)
Paul continued pressing forward.
So must we.
FAITHFULNESS MUST CONTINUE
Jesus told the church at Smyrna:
“…be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
(Revelation 2:10, KJV)
Notice the pattern:
BECOME A CHRISTIAN
↓
CONTINUE IN CHRIST’S WORD
↓
ABIDE IN CHRIST
↓
GROW
↓
PERSEVERE
↓
REMAIN FAITHFUL
↓
RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE
THE BIBLICAL PATTERN
HEAR THE GOSPEL
↓
BELIEVE CHRIST
↓
OBEY THE GOSPEL
↓
BE ADDED TO CHRIST’S CHURCH
↓
CONTINUE IN THE APOSTLES’ DOCTRINE
Acts 2:42
↓
CONTINUE IN CHRIST’S WORD
John 8:31
↓
ABIDE IN CHRIST
John 15:4
↓
PRESS TOWARD THE MARK
Philippians 3:14
↓
BE FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH
Revelation 2:10
THAT IS THE PATTERN.
The question is not merely:
“DID I ONCE BELIEVE IN JESUS?”
Nor is it merely:
“WAS I ONCE BAPTIZED?”
We should also ask:
“AM I CONTINUING IN THE WORD OF CHRIST TODAY?”
Christianity is not merely an event in our past.
It is a life of continuing faithfulness to Christ.
Jesus said:
“If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;”
(John 8:31, KJV)
Don’t accept that conclusion merely because it is written here.
Open your Bible.
Read John 8.
Read John 15.
Read Acts 2.
Read Romans 11.
Read Philippians 3.
Read Revelation 2.
Compare Scripture with Scripture.
Then ask:
AM I CONTINUING IN CHRIST’S WORD?
ALLOW SCRIPTURE TO INTERPRET SCRIPTURE.
The Biblical Pattern
Biblical Studies & Books by Kevin L. Walker
TheBiblicalPattern.com
The Biblical Pattern 