What prevents us from believing "the One He sent" according to John 5:38? Setting the Scene John 5 finds Jesus addressing religious leaders who searched the Scriptures yet missed the very Messiah to whom those Scriptures point. In verse 38 He pinpoints the root issue. “nor do you have His word abiding in you, because you do not believe the One He sent.” (John 5:38) Heart Barrier Identified • The obstacle is a heart where God’s word does not “abide.” • When the word is absent from the inner life, belief in the Son becomes impossible. • Unbelief is not merely an intellectual glitch; it is the result of the word failing to take root. What “His Word Abiding” Means • “Abide” (Greek: menō) carries the sense of remaining, dwelling, making its home. • God’s word is meant to live inside, shaping thoughts, affections, and choices (Colossians 3:16). • An abiding word moves from memorized facts to internalized truth that governs life (Psalm 119:11). Symptoms of a Non-Abiding Word • Scripture is treated as information rather than revelation (John 5:39-40). • Traditions, self-righteousness, or intellectual pride crowd out humble receptivity (Mark 7:6-8). • Resistance to conviction and refusal to repent signal that the word is not welcomed (Zechariah 7:11-12). • Love for human approval outweighs the desire for God’s approval (John 12:42-43). How the Word Comes to Abide • Receive it with meekness, allowing it to be “implanted” (James 1:21). • Meditate day and night, giving it room to shape the inner dialogue (Psalm 1:2). • Hide it in the heart through memorization and obedience (Psalm 119:9-11). • Remain in living fellowship with Christ, for His words abide in those who abide in Him (John 15:7). • Yield to the Spirit, who delights to illuminate and anchor the word within (John 14:26). Invitation to Respond God’s remedy for unbelief is not self-effort but welcoming His living word. By letting Scripture dwell richly within, hearts open to recognize and trust “the One He sent.” |
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