by Dr. Larry Ollison, Ph.D. 

Several years ago my wife and I had a weekly Bible study in our home. We would sit around the living room with our Bibles and study the Word of God. One evening we had a Methodist pastor, two Catholic nuns, an Assembly of God Sunday School teacher, a few Baptists and some that didn’t go to church anywhere. It was an exciting time. We didn’t care where anyone went to church. All we cared about was the Word of God.

When we would open the Bible, we didn’t look at it with Baptist eyes, Methodist eyes or Catholic eyes. We simply read and believed what the Bible said, regardless.

God’s Word is pure and true. When it is read and believed, it will set us free from any bondage. Jesus said in John 8:31 & 32, “If you abide in my Word, then you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”

Most people who have a problem want to get rid of it. They want to be able to live their lives without stress and worry. They want to live without the bill collector calling every day. They want to live, set free from the sicknesses and family feuds that trouble so many.

But how can we get set free? Well, what did Jesus say? He said, “If you abide in my Word, then you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”

Let’s closely examine the statement Jesus made. Let’s analyze what He said. First of all, He said that we should abide in His Word. That means that we are to continue in His teachings. When you have a problem in your life, look to the Word and see what the Bible says about that specific problem. The Bible addresses everything.

For example, if you are having a problem with your children, then look to the Word of God concerning that problem. Read Proverbs 11:21 where it says, “The children of the righteous will be delivered.”

If the problem is finances then read Luke 6:38 where it says, “Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Whatever the problem, look in the Word for the answer and abide in it. Don’t give up. The Greek word for abide can also be translated continue. To continue means to not give up.

How far do we go in our belief before we draw the line? The answer is that there is no line when we are in faith. If God says it in His Word, then that settles it.

Next we are to know the truth. That comes from knowing God’s Word. It comes from knowing what God said and going one step further and believing Him. Titus 1:2 and Hebrews 6:18 both tell us the same thing. It is impossible for God to lie. So, when we read and abide in His Word we also need to believe Him.

Finally, we must know God’s Word so intimately that it becomes a part of us. Knowing the Word means acting on it because we have faith in it. It’s at this point we are set free.