Scripture: John 5:38 (ESV) – “And you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent.”
Jesus continues to expose the disconnect between the religious leaders and the God they claim to serve. They prided themselves on their devotion to the Scriptures, yet Jesus says something devastating: “You do not have His word abiding in you.” Why? Because they do not believe in Him—the very One whom the Father has sent.
This is not a failure of knowledge or study—it’s a failure of heart. They knew the words of Scripture but had not submitted to the voice behind them. The word of God had not taken root in them, because they had resisted its true purpose: to lead them to Christ.
William Gouge emphasizes that the Word of God does not abide where it is merely read or repeated, but where it is believed and obeyed. “The word is not in the head only,” he writes, “but where it lives, it governs the heart.” These leaders had the word in scrolls, perhaps even on their lips, but not in their souls.
This verse reminds us that it is possible to handle the Scriptures daily and yet miss their message entirely. The test of whether God’s word abides in us is not how often we quote it, but whether it has led us to trust in Christ.
Reflection Questions:
- What does it mean for God’s word to abide in someone?
- How can someone know the Bible well and still reject its central message?
- What steps can you take to ensure the Word of God is not just present in your life, but abiding—living and shaping you from within?
Prayer:
Lord, let Your word not just rest on my bookshelf or pass through my ears—let it live in me. Let it shape my desires, correct my errors, and lead me always to trust in Christ. Guard me from the pride of knowledge without faith. May Your Word take deep root in me. Amen.
This devotional is based on John 5:38, with insights drawn from the theology of William Gouge and the pastoral teaching of Pastor Chris Cousine.
Covenant Presbyterian Church 