That person cannot truly trust Jesus' message

That person only needs more time before trust will come

That person can trust Jesus' message without any connection to the earlier witness

That person must first prove loyalty through good deeds

Rejecting the earlier witness blocks trust in Jesus' words

The verse sets the written witness and Jesus' words in direct contrast

The verse says the earlier witness can be ignored once Jesus speaks

The verse ends with a question that presses the issue of belief

Give the written witness serious attention and let it shape your trust in Jesus

Treat the earlier witness as optional background and focus only on fresh impressions

Trust Jesus' sayings while leaving the earlier witness behind

Wait until every question is answered before letting any of it affect your faith

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and that I have not trusted your witness or your words as I should. I turn from my sin and repent. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I confess you as Lord, and I ask you to give me a heart that receives your truth with faith. Lead my life from this day forward. Amen.

Trusting Your Words

Lord, revive your Church to honor the witness you have given and to trust your Son's words with gladness. Where we have become selective, skeptical, or slow to obey, soften us again. Make us a people who hear, believe, and live what you say, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Revive Your Church to Trust Your Word

Father, thank you for the written witness that points us to your Son. Thank you that Jesus' words are not isolated from what you have already spoken. Help me receive both with gratitude and faith, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Thank You for the Witness That Points to Jesus

Name one place where you are tempted to set Jesus' words aside. Ask God to give you a humble mind, to make you willing to be persuaded by his witness, and to show you one step of obedience.

Pray for a Teachability

Pray for: people who admire Jesus but have trouble trusting his witness; anyone caught between respect and unbelief; believers who speak about Scripture and Christ with both clarity and gentleness.

For the Skeptical and Searching

Bring these to God: a stubborn area of doubt; a desire to read Scripture with honesty; willingness to let Jesus' words correct you; patience to keep listening until trust grows.

Growing in Confidence

εἰ{ee###ee###if} δὲ{DE###DEH###but} τοῖς{TEES###TEES###(the)} ἐκείνου{e-KEE-noo###eh-KEE-noo###that one's} γράμμασιν{GRAM-ma-sin###GRAHM-ma-seen###writings} οὐ{oo###oo###not} πιστεύετε{pi-STEV-e-te###pi-STEHV-eh-teh###you believe} πῶς{POS###POHS###how} τοῖς{TEES###TEES###(the)} ἐμοῖς{e-MEES###eh-MEES###my} ῥήμασιν{RHÊ-ma-sin###RHÊ-ma-sin###words} πιστεύσετε;{pi-STEF-se-te###pi-STEF-seh-teh###will you believe}

John 5:47 — Source TextTAB

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