John 5 – October 7

Jesus told the Jews who persecuted him in John 5:38-40, “You do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.”

There is a big difference between knowing what the Bible says, and having His Word abide within you. Jesus said they searched the Scriptures, but it’s obvious they weren’t really searching for Truth from a pure heart. Searching for truth requires humility and repentance; it means we’re going to change as light comes into our heart. Like it says in Proverbs 6:23: “For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life.”

Those Jews show us that people can study the Scriptures (or go to church, etc) out of pride. Knowing what the Bible says is not the same at all as having His Word abide in us. The LORD said He is looking for someone who “is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word” (Isaiah 66:2).