by Jon Burnett
Christ said in John 8:31 & 32, "If you abide in my word you are truly my disciples, and you will know the TRUTH, and the TRUTH will set you free." So as Christians we must abide in Christ�s word. Though some deny it, this is our right way! This is not a way that�s hard to understand, but as plain and simple as this verse. We can know the truth and it can set us free. We are dependent upon this truth for our salvation!
But what is this truth? Where can we find it? In John 17:17, Christ said "Sanctify them in truth; your word is truth." God�s word is this truth that has been given to man. We are only set apart (sanctified) by God to worship him if we abide by his truth! If we lose sight of such truth, we lose God. By reading the Bible we can know this truth. Not only that, but since God�s word is truth, and we are to worship �in spirit and truth,� is not God�s word our guide for worship?
So how does God reveal to us his word? Hebrews 1:1 & 2 says, "but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world." God used Christ as his instrument of revelation to mankind. His authority and lordship over the church is emphasized throughout the Bible (John 3:35, 17:2; Ephesians 1:20-23). As Christ is our king, his word is the word of God, and our law. And if we love him we will keep his commandments (John 14:15).
The apostles were also given authority over the church. In John 14:26, Christ said, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you ALL THINGS and bring to your remembrance ALL that I have said to you." Therefore the apostles merely recorded the words and teachings of Christ himself when writing the Bible. Peter put it this way, �For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit� (2 Peter 1:21). The validity of the apostles� teaching was well known in the New Testament church. It is said that early Christians �devoted themselves to the apostles� teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of the bread and the prayers.� (Acts 2:42)
In the Bible the concept of �no right way,� is conspicuously absent. Nowhere in the Bible does it say we all have our own way to God, or even more extreme that there is no right way. Christ told us that truth is found in his teachings and those of his apostles alone. New Testament Christians understood this and obeyed the word of God (John 8:31). If we do now, what they did then, then we will be now, what they were then: Christians. For he is �THE way, and THE truth, and THE life. No one comes to the Father except through [him].� (John 14:6)