Does Christ’s Word Have A Place In You?

When speaking to those Jews that refused to believe in Him, Jesus said, “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) Does Christ’s word have a place in you?

The Jews mentioned in John 8 did not accept Christ’s words about Him being Divine and the Messiah. There are many today who give lip service to their love and devotion to Jesus, but they don’t have a place for all of His word in their hearts. They basically have “cherry picked” what they will accept to believe and practice. Christ’s verdict is that His word has no place in them.

Why should we let Christ’s word have a place in our hearts and lives? One reason is because God has given him all authority. “… All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” (Matthew 28:18) Christ has the authority to command men’s obedience. The Father said, “… This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” (Matthew 17:5)

If you desire eternal life, then you need to listen to the words of Christ. Peter asked, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68) This is reason enough to let Jesus’ word have a place in you. Paul said to disobedient Jews, “It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put if from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” (Acts 13:46) Those who don’t let the word have a place in them today, judge themselves unworthy of eternal life.

A final consideration is we will be judged by Christ’s word. “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48)

What place should the word have in you? It should have a permanent dwelling place in our hearts. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom …” (Colossians 3:16) Jesus said, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:7)

The word should possess a place of reverence and respect. “Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.” (Proverbs 13:13) Jesus said, “… Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” (Luke 11:28)

Those who truly love Jesus’ word will always have a place for it in their hearts. The Psalmist said, “O how I love thy law! It is my meditation all the day.” (Psalms 119:97) Many will perish spiritually because they didn’t have a love for the truth. “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” (2 Thessalonians 2:10)

Sadly, many don’t have a place for God’s word in their hearts. Even among some who claim to be religious, they really are following the words of religious leaders instead of Christ’s word. “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:9) Also sad is that some who once had a place for God’s word, have turned away from it. (2 Timothy 4:2-4) Does Christ’s word have a place in you?