Know The Whole Story

Karen

Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

—John 8:31–32 CSB

Do you remember your very first job? My most-loved young-adult job was when I spent two summers at a nature center teaching classes for four-year-olds. I learned how to identify critters in the pond, how to tell a chipmunk from a thirteen-lined ground squirrel, and—of utmost importance—how to spot poison ivy.

My poison ivy identification skills have come in handy over the years. One time a friend suspected she had it growing all over her shed. Upon inspection, I discovered she was right. So her family took care to remove it, wearing long sleeves and gloves for protection.

But then she mentioned they’d burned all the ivy in a giant bonfire while they stood over it roasting marshmallows . . . Oh no!

While my friend knew the danger of touching the ivy itself, it hadn’t occurred to her that burning the plant—creating smoke that had the plant’s oils mingled in it—would cause a worse reaction than just touching the leaves.

Sure enough, her whole family developed blistering rashes, especially on their faces, and their eyes became sorely bloodshot and painfully itchy. One son even developed a serious respiratory reaction. All this occurred because she only knew half the truth about poison ivy: that touching it is bad. She didn’t know that burning it is even worse.

Like the Jews in today’s passage who “had believed” in Jesus (John 8:31 CSB), the beginning of our walks with God is only half of the story. But we can’t stop there. We must keep growing in Christ, continually walking in God’s Word in a way that sets us free and keeps sin from poisoning our lives and causing a mighty, even painful, mess.

Jesus saved us (past tense), but He is continually perfecting us too (present tense) if only we will cooperate.

What a glorious thought: We can know the truth. The truth sets us free. How? “If you continue in my word” (v. 31 CSB).

Don’t live half the story just by believing in Jesus. Keep going and growing into maturity.

Father, help me not just rest in my belief in You, but also continue in Your Word to find the truth-giving life You offer me through Your Son. In Jesus’ name, amen.

For you, what tends to get in the way of continuing in God’s Word? Busyness? Laziness? Poor time management? What one change can you strive to make that will allow you to better spend time in God’s Word?