176. Place For The Word.

My word hath no place in you. - John 8:37.

WHERE the Word of Jesus ought at once to be received, it is often rejected. These Jews were Abraham's seed, but they had not Abraham's faith.

Jesus knows where his Word is received, and where it has no place.

He declares that all else is unavailing: it was in vain that they were of the favored race if they did not admit the Savior's Word into their hearts.

The practical result appeared in their lives: they sought to kill Jesus.

Let us honestly consider—

I. WHAT PLACE THE WORD SHOULD HAVE IN MEN'S HEARTS.

The Word comes from Jesus, the appointed Messenger of God; it is true, weighty, saving; and, therefore, it must have a place among those who hear it. It ought to obtain and retain—

1. An inside place: in the thoughts, the memory, the conscience, the affections. "Thy Word have I hid in mine heart" (Ps. 119:11. See also Jer. 15:16; Col. 3:16).

2. A place of honor: it should receive attention, reverence, faith, obedience (John 8:47; Luke 6:46; Matt. 7:24-25).

3. A place of trust. We ought in all things to rely upon the sure Word of promise, since God will neither lie, nor err, nor change (Isa. 7:9; 1 Sam. 15:29; Titus 1:2).

4. A place of rule. The Word of Jesus is the law of a Christian.

5. A place of love. It should be prized above our daily food, and defended with our lives (Job. 23:12; Jude 3).

6. A permanent place. It must so transform us as to abide in us.

II. WHY IT HAS NO PEACE IN MANY MEN.

If any man be unconverted, let us help him to a reason applicable to his case.

1. You are too busy, and so you cannot admit it.

· There is no room for Jesus in the inn of your life.

· Think of it: "You are too much occupied to be saved"!

2. It does not come as a novelty, and therefore you refuse it.

· You are weary of the old, old story.

· Are you wearied of bread? of air? of water? of life?

3. Another occupies the place the Word of Jesus should have.

· You prefer the word of man, of superstition, of skepticism.

· Is this a wise preference?

4. You think Christ's Word too holy, too spiritual.

· This fact should startle you, for it condemns you.

5. It is cold comfort to you, and so you give it no place.

· This shows that your nature is depraved; for the saints rejoice in it.

6. You are too wise, too cultured, too genteel, to yield yourself to the government of Jesus (John 5:44; Rom. 1:22).

7. Is the reason of your rejection of the Word one of these?

· That you are not in earnest?

· That you are fond of sin?

· That you are greedy of evil gain?

· That you need a change of heart?

III. WHAT WILL COME OF THE WORD OF CHRIST HAVING NO PLACE IN YOU?

1. Every past rejection of that Word has involved you in sin.

2. The Word may cease to ask for place in you.

3. You may yourself become hardened, so as to decline even to hear that Word with the outward ear.

4. You may become the violent opponent of that Word, like these Jews.

5. The Word will condemn you at the last great day (John 12:48).

Let us therefore reason with you for a while.

Why do you not give place to it?

All that is asked of you is to give it place. It will bring with it all that you need.

Open wide the door, and bid it enter!

It is the Word of the Lord Jesus, the Savior.

It means your highest good, and will greatly bless you.