His Word
Taking the time to study the lessons that Jesus taught is a worthwhile endeavor. The student will truly be learning from the Master. With that being the case, it may seem hard to imagine that individuals could have heard Jesus teach and still rejected Him and His Word. On one occasion Jesus taught, “I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you” (John 8:37). That is very blunt and matter of fact, but nonetheless true. There are some people that seemingly have no place for God’s Word in their lives.
How many times have you tried to teach someone that is nonchalant and non-receptive to the truth? Time after time attempts are made to instruct and help, yet unfortunately those efforts seem to fall on hard hearts. It might be discouraging at times, but remember that Jesus experienced the same rejection. As difficult as it may seem, we must accept that some people do not want to make room for God and His Word. There are many that want to live sinful and self-serving lives. They either do not care enough about the future Judgment, or else they do not believe that there will be such. Jesus said, “He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God” (John 8:47). That previous Scripture reference might upset some individuals when they hear it. Some might become angry and attempt to defend their situations. After all, there are numerous individuals that believe they are living lives faithful to God, yet how many hear God’s Word and let it sink into their hearts? Jesus also taught, “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” (John 8:31-32). It is one thing to have heard God’s Word and it is another thing to “continue” in God’s Word.
Our Lord explained the reason why His Word finds no place in the hearts of many. “Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not” (John 8:43-45).
Again, that might seem blunt and matter of fact, but it is absolutely true! There are only two sides for a man to choose. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matt. 7:13-14). “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (Matt. 6:24). Either a man is on God’s side, and therefore He will hear the Word and obey it, or a man is on the devil’s side and will not hear God’s Word or obey it. On the Day of Pentecost following our Lord’s ascension, the Word of God was preached to a great sum of people.
Most of those individuals had no place for God’s Word in their hearts. However, the Bible records that there were others who reacted differently. “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41). Let us make the decision to open our hearts and make room for God’s Word. After all, Jesus has assured, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death” (John 8:51). The future destination of our souls depends on whether God’s Word is received and obeyed (Heb. 5:9).