Editorial September 19, 1925 Issue

On Continuing in the Word

Albert F. Gilmore

In that familiar passage from John's gospel, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free," it is to be observed that the gaining of the truth which makes free was contingent upon the circumstance of continuing in the Master's word. In order for those whom he addressed to gain the truth which makes free, they must become his disciples through continuing in his word. The fundamental condition, the sine qua non of the Master's promise of freedom, was the necessity of continuing in his word.

In these words is to be found the pith of the whole problem of salvation. Then, as now, those who would gain the truth that makes free, that is, they who would win freedom from the bondage set up by material sense, can do so only as they become the disciples of the Christ,—only as they gain the Word, spiritual Truth, and continue to be governed by it.

On another occasion the Nazarene uttered the same sentiment: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life." These sayings, together with others of the same import, make plain the necessity of strict adherence to the letter and the spirit of our Lord's teachings in order to become imbued with the true spirit of Christianity, thus finding the only way to freedom and salvation.

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