How Can You Believe? John 5:40-44 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
In this passage Jesus is talking to the Pharisees who want to kill him (John 5:16). He asked this group “How can ye believe?” One of the jobs of the Holy Spirit is to reprove the world of sin “because they believe not on me“. (John 16:9) Romans 10:16: “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?”
The ultimate problem with men is the problem with belief. These men that wanted to kill Jesus were not going believe Jesus or his witnesses because of some things that they would not do. These things are mentioned in verses 40-45. These are the same problems that keep any man from believing.
How can you believe when you will not come to Jesus? (v.40)
When dealing with people about their souls, they dance around their doctrine and their teachings, and refuse to come to Jesus. 1 John 5:12 says “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” Life is in the Lord Jesus Christ. If you are ever going to have any hope of having life, then you have to come to Jesus. We’re not just lost people hoping for eternal life, but saved people looking for solutions to problems in this life. Christians went to him to get saved, but will ignore him for daily guidance. They will turn to every source of help in the world before they will turn to Jesus. Matthew 11:28: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” People look at their situation in life and say that they don’t believe that Jesus can help them. Jesus is the only one who can take care of every need you have, here and in eternity.
How can you believe when you won’t honor Jesus? (v.41)
Jesus said that he didn’t receive honor from men. God honored the Lord Jesus Christ by speaking to him from heaven. There is no higher honor in the world. In Revelation 4:11 everyone is worshipping Jesus. Jesus is worthy of your honor. 1 Samuel 2:30 says “them that honour me will I honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.” You are never going to get anywhere by faith if you won’t honor Jesus
How can you believe when you won’t love God? (v.42)
Many people think that the first law is to love thy neighbor. That’s the second one. The first is to love God. Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The Pharisees’ treasure was on earth. Does your life, affection, imagination, thought life, etc substantiate your salvation? The Pharisees didn’t love God and thus all we see is their hypocrisy, greed, blasphemy, etc.
How can you believe when you won’t receive Jesus? (v.43)
Many people won’t get saved because they will not receive Jesus. He said in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus said “I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.” There will be many false prophets that claim to be of God. People will believe these and go to hell. You have to receive Jesus.
How can you believe when you won’t seek honor that comes from God only? (v.44)
He that loveth his life shall lose it. You won’t seek honor from God because you want honor from men today. Fame will not last in eternity and may not even last in this life.