Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”

Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

“I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father.”

Jesus is speaking of those who are His children.  Those who obey His Word.  Those who are in good standing.  Jesus Himself is the truth that makes us free from disobedience (sin)-- Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.  Those who disobey the King's commands are slaves to disobedience (what we call sin).

Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.  Sin is the one single word that describes disobedience.  This is what is called a Kingdom concept.  Remember, Jesus is the source of truth, the perfect standard of what is right.  He was here from the beginning.   In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

Because of King Jesus, we all live.  He is the Source of all creation.  Obeying His Word is our standard for living an effective lifestyle.  

John 8:31-38   John 1:1-3

W.R. Luchie

Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease!  Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven.

We have all heard of people who have won millions of dollars and then lost everything.  Even the average person can spend an inheritance--or a paycheck--with lightening speed and have very little to show for it.  When you have embraced the Kingdom concept, you won't spend your time pursuing riches.  You don't have to spend your time chasing fleeting earthly treasures.  Instead, store up treasures in the Kingdom of Heaven.  For such treasures will never be lost.  King Jesus made it perfectly clear:

Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  

Money seen as an end in itself quickly traps us and cuts us off from both the Lord God and the needy.  The key to using money wisely is to realize that we don't own anything.  The King just gives us access to all we need.

Proverbs 23:4-5   Luke 12:33-34

~~W.R. Luchie

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.

Viewing this from a Kingdom concept, this verse is stating that if you embrace His Word as the King He is, then and only then are you a citizen in good standing.  

Please note:  If you believe and have faith in the Word of Jesus the King, then your faith alone in His written Word will cause you to become obedient to His command.  It is our faith in His Word that gives us understanding of creation.  ...who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

If you don't have faith in the Lord Jesus the Christ, then you most definitely will not obey His Word as King.  If your supervisor at work asked you to work several hours of overtime, but you had no trust in his word, would you do it? So, also, if you don't obey the Lord God's Word, you do not have faith that He will do what He says He will do.  If you truly had faith in God and His Word (which are one) you would never want to disobey and miss out on His promises!  Faith and obedience are intertwined. 

John 8:31   Hebrews 1:3

~~W.R. Luchie

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

I want you to realize, when you are operating by the leading of the Holy Spirit, no one can harm you.  Remember, Jesus' own brothers didn't believe in Him, nor did they understand His motive.  

His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” For even His brothers did not believe in Him.

Then Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come.”  Jesus made it quite clear that the information He was teaching wasn't His own.  He also stated that those who teach their own message seek honor for themselves.

 Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him. Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?”

Observe those who fail to obey the Lord Jesus and teach the message of the Kingdom.  They preach finance, prosperity, grace and how to be blessed; but not the Kingdom concept.  Jesus obeyed His Father's commands to the letter (last word).  Jesus made it plain that He always does what pleases the Father.

And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.

John 7:37-38, 3-8, 16-19   John 8:29

~~W.R. Luchie

“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

King Jesus told His disciples to keep constant watch for His return.  Although over 2000 years have passed since He spoke these words, the truth remains.  The King will keep His Word.  He will come again, and we need to keep watch.  This means working faithfully on our purpose and the task for which the Lord God has created us.

Do not allow your mind to be distracted from His purpose in your life.  Do not allow your mind and spirit to become dull by careless and ineffective living.  Do not allow drinking or the foolish pursuit of pleasure to become your primary goal in your life.  Do not allow the cares of this world system to weigh you down through the thoughts of your mind.  Remember what Jesus stated:

But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Luke 21:34-36   Matthew 24:48-51

~~W.R. Luchie

​Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

My question is, would you prefer a friend's wounds to an enemy's kisses? Anyone who can, is considering the source.  A friend has your best interest at heart.  They may have to give you unpleasant advice at times, but you know it is for your own good.  
Now an enemy on the other hand, may whisper sweet words and compliments that will eventually send you to ruin.  Sad, but true, we tend to hear what we want to hear, even if an enemy is the only one saying it.  When a leader listens to the flattery of an enemy, or unfaithful friend, not only the leader suffers but also those who follow him.  

The words of a true friend, no matter how painful, are much better.  Always consider the source, and the motive behind the words.

Proverbs 27:6

~~W.R. Luchie

A continual dripping on a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike; Whoever restrains her restrains the wind, and grasps oil with his right hand.

When seeking a mate, remember this: being with someone who is quarrelsome, nagging and has a steady stream of unwanted advice is a form of torture.  People nag because they think they are not getting through to you. They think they aren't being heard. But nagging hinders communication more than it helps.  When you are tempted to engage in this destructive habit, stop and examine your motives.  Are you more concerned about yourself, getting your way, or being right, than about the person you are pretending to help?  If you are truly concerned about other people, think of a more effective way to get through to them.  Surprise them with words of patience and love, see things from their perspective and see what happens.

Another way to assure your wife that she his getting your attention and being heard is to stop everything that you are doing, turning off the TV if necessary, and look and listen to what she is saying to you.  It works for me all the time. Arlene is definitely not nagging, but she certainly appreciates my undivided attention when she is trying to share something with me.  Clear communication is vital to a great relationship. Get your priorities in order.
​
Proverbs 27:15-16
~~W.R. Luchie

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Those of us  who embrace Jesus the Christ as their Lord and King should thank God every day for His Son Jesus becoming the sacrificial Lamb for all mankind.  Because of Jesus' sacrifice we have become royalty.  By the way, we should embrace our Jewish brothers and sisters, because it is through faith in His Son that we have become citizens of the Kingdom and children of the most high God.  For He is King and Lord.

I cannot state often enough, we as Kingdom citizens must learn to stay focused on the Word of God.  We must learn to persevere, to stay focused on His promise.  Ambassador Paul stated it this way:

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I Peter 2:9-10   Hebrews 12:1-2
~~W.R. Luchie

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.  What I have come to realize is that the enemy has deceived so many people who claim to  know the Lord, but actually have a religious mindset.  Do not be deceived, the only way one can be a true imitator of the King is to have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit residing in your mortal body.  Leaders are falling away from the Lord, but still are preaching and teaching from the pulpit.  Their words are hollow because they are not led by the Holy Spirit. The ambassador Paul made it very plain:  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.  We are not to associate with individuals who have chosen to be disobedient to the written Word, and we certainly aren't to be led by them  Therefore do not be partakers with them.  There are far too many who fit that description.  They go  to church but do not walk in obedience to God's Word.

The Lord wants His citizens--sons and daughters--holy (meaning separated--set apart).   But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Ephesians 5:1-7

~~W.R. Luchie

Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.

First, I must say, there are no such things as miracles in the Kingdom.  What?! Why?!  Because what we call  miracles here on earth, is a standard procedure in the Kingdom.  "Miracles" are normal in the Kingdom of God.

Do you remember what King Jesus stated in Matthew 10?  These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.

“Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." 

Whenever the Kingdom of Heaven was present, healing, deliverance, hope and encouragement was present.  The glory of the Lord was present.  By the way, the glory of God is the culture of heaven.

Whenever a kingdom citizen comes into your presence, he or she represents the glory or culture of the Kingdom.
​
John 9:1-4   Matthew 10:5-16
~~W.R. Luchie

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”

Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

​Please note:  Truth is always closely connected to Jesus.  This truth is not a philosophical truth as some will lead you to believe, but a truth that leads to your salvation.  Note the statement He made in verse 31:  Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 

Embracing and obeying the King's Word is the foundation for being His disciples.  If you don't embrace His Word and continue to be disobedient (sin), you are slaves to sin (disobedience).   Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.  Note that a slave or subject to the Kingdom is only temporary.  Jesus mentions that those who obey His teaching is family.  And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.
Embracing and obeying the King's Word is the foundation for being His disciples.  If you don't embrace His Word and continue to be disobedient (sin), then you are slaves to sin (disobedience).  
I want to remind you, if you read God's Constitution from a religious mindset, you will not truly understand.  You must have a Kingdom mindset to get the true essence of God's written Word.

There are no religious people in the Kingdom.  There are only citizens who are sons and daughters of the King.

John 8:31-35
~~W.R. Luchie

Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, “He is out of His mind.”

​Now with the crowds pressing in on Him, Jesus didn't take time to eat. Because of this, His friends and family came to take charge of Him.

Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You.”  They were thinking that He had gone off the deep end, as a religious fanatic.  They were concerned for Him, but like most others in today's society, they failed to understand the Kingdom concept.  They really missed the point of His ministry.  Even those who were closest to the King were slow to understand who He was and what He had come to do.

Believe me when I state this:  There will be times even now when your friends and family will mark you as being off the wall because of the message of the Kingdom.  But keep this in mind, you are in great company.  Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven...Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Mark 3:20-21, 31-32   Matthew 5:3, 10-12
~~W.R. Luchie

​“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you."

Did you read the condition that they would receive the Counselor?  "If you love Me, you will obey what I command you"  Receiving the Holy Spirit is predicated on obeying God's Word.  It is not based on picking and choosing what laws and principles you will obey.  This is why I know many who claim they are believers of Jesus and His written Word don't have the Holy Spirit abiding in their mortal bodies.  Jesus made it very plain.   “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them."

By the way, your fruit is your behavior, obedience to His laws and principles and especially your lifestyle.

John 14:15-18   Matthew 7:15-20
~~W.R. Luchie 

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

As citizens of the Kingdom we should expect continuing challenges, but we should always remain peaceful and confident.  Why?  Because we obey and trust in His Word.  The world system is "out of sync" with the message that King Jesus preached and taught while He was on earth.

Remember, Jesus the Christ didn't come to bring peace to the world.  Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 

When you trust in His Word, you will obtain peace in your soul and mind.  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 things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  Keep in mind, the disciples hadn't received the Holy Spirit as of yet, but Christ was full of the Holy Spirit without measure.

When you totally trust in God's Word, the fear of death is removed.  (the fear of dying, which is the sting of death).  Take advice and be encouraged for the words of King David.  

John 16:33   Matthew 10:34   John 14:26-27 
~W.R. Luchie

Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.

​King Jesus always upholds the law.  Jesus never came to destroy the law, but to fulfill it.  Those individuals with a religious mindset will always be a stumbling block to the Kingdom.  Now, concerning the Jewish law, the Jewish leaders had already violated the law by arresting the woman without the man.  That is like many of those individuals who claim to love the Lord.  They pick and choose which law they will obey.

The law required that both parties to adultery, be stoned.  The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, he who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress, shall surely be put to death.  If a man is found lying with a woman married to a husband, then both of them shall die—the man that lay with the woman, and the woman; so you shall put away the evil from Israel.  These are God's laws and principles.  The leaders were using the woman as a trap so they could trick the King (meaning Jesus).  If Jesus stated that the woman should be stoned, they would have accused Him of violating the law of Moses.  If He urged them to execute her, they would report Him to the Romans who did not permit the Jews to carry out their own executions.  Then Pilate said to them, “You take Him and judge Him according to your law.”  Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,”.   This was the law of the Roman government.

Remember, the King's law is sovereign.  Obey it.

John 8:3-6   Leviticus 20:10   Deuteronomy 22:22   John 18:31

~~W.R. Luchie

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.
 
Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,” when you have it with you.  

When it comes to God's written Word, I always aim for true understanding. Delaying doing good is definitely inconsiderate and very unfair to others.  Whether it is repaying a loan, returning your neighbor's tool or fulfilling a promise made.

Keep in mind, withholding or delaying destroys trust and creates a great inconvenience.  You are a representative of the Kingdom of God, which is His government.

Be eager to do good as you are to have good done to you.  The merciful man does good for his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.  The wicked man does deceptive work, but he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward. 

Lastly, King Jesus made this statement:  Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Proverbs 3:27-28   Proverbs 11:17-18   Matthew 7:12

~~W.R. Luchie

To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

Keep this in mind:  Sacrifices are not bribes to make the Lord God overlook our behavior or character faults.  And it is certainly not permission to disobey His written Word.  If our personal and business dealings with others are not characterized by justice, there is no amount of generosity when we give to the poor or when the offering place is passed, that will make up for being disobedient to His Word.  Read what God's Constitution--the Bible--says:  The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.  The Lord God, as the King He is, wants your obedience, not the sacrifices of those people who embrace the world system of doing things.

Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom. Give ear to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah:

“To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?” says the Lord.  “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle.  I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs or goats.

God's character is unchanging.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Proverbs 21:3   Proverbs 15:8   Isaiah 1:10-11
~~W.R. Luchie

Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

Jesus did not state why the Spirit would not come until He went back to the Father, but He clearly taught that His sacrificial work on the cross was necessary before the Holy Spirit (Counselor) was to arrive on planet earth.

If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.

Once again, if you will notice, the Holy Spirit only comes to those who are obedient to the King's Word.  They are the ones to whom Jesus will send the Holy Spirit (Counselor, teacher).  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 things that I said to you.

You must live by the King's Word, which are His standards--principles and laws.

John 16:7   John 14:15-16   John 14:26
~~W.R. Luchie

As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

One thing that I have learned from my wife, Arlene is that there is a mental sharpness that comes from being around good, righteous people. A meeting of the minds can assist people in seeing their ideas with new clarity, refine them and shape them into brilliant insight.  

This requires partners who can challenge each other and stimulate thought. It requires individuals who can focus on an idea without involving their ego in the discussion.  It requires individuals who know how to attack the thought and not the thinker.  Two friends who bring their ideas together and assist each other become sharper.  The right friendship, the right relationship, will always make you better.  By the way, I have just described my wife Arlene and I.  We thank God for that precious relationship.  Together we are better.

He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.

Proverbs 27:17   Proverbs 13:20
~~W.R. Luchie

And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

In God's Constitution, an individual's name stands for his or her character. It represents who they really are. We are not only to believe in the Words of Christ, but to embrace His message as well.

And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

We are also to embrace Him as the one and only Son of the Father.  Jesus couldn't have made it any plainer than this when He made this statement.   I and My Father are one.

If you will embrace Jesus as Lord and King of your life, you will most definitely live again.  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

​The King's Word is sovereign. If He said it, it is truth.  He cannot lie.

John 3:23   Matthew 4:17   John 10:30   John 11:25-26
~~W.R. Luchie