The Greatest Words Ever Spoken

WORD OF LIFE

WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL

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The Greatest Words Ever Spoken

with Steven Scott

“He who does not love Me does not keep My words;and the word which you hear is not Mine,but the Father’s who sent Me.” (John 14:24)

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How could such an audacious claim be made about any collection of statements made by anyone?

To qualify as the greatest words ever spoken, they would have to reveal incredible truths that would otherwise go undiscovered. They would have to bring extraordinary, perhaps near-miraculous, benefits to hearts, minds and lives of those who hear or read them. Certainly, to be the greatest words ever spoken, they would have to produce life-altering changes -- not just for a few people, but in the lives of millions. They would have to impart hope to those who have no hope, joy to those whose hearts have been broken, and peace that subdues even the greatest fears.

These words would have to be powerful enough to transform a hateful heart into a loving one, a mind driven by greed into one overflowing with generosity, and an arrogant life into one that is driven by a servant’s heart. If they were truly the greatest words ever spoken, they would have the power to give sight to the blind, strength to the lame, healing to the sick, deliverance to the captive, forgiveness to the sinner, and new life to the dead.

Jesus of Nazareth, who claimed to be the Son of the Living God, spoke such words.

If Jesus is who He claimed to be then everything He said is absolute truth. He would not error in any statement He makes. His words are the standard of truth by which all other purported truths must be measured.

Jesus is the Word of God, through whom we receive the right to become children of God (John 1:9-14). Everything Jesus said about you, your life, your present circumstances and your future is absolutely true.

Jesus made a number of incredible promises to men and women who learn, embrace, and follow His words.

Consider Jesus’ promise in John 8:31-32, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” There are three things contained in this promise: intimacy with the Lord, the discovery and knowledge of perfect and eternal truth, and liberation from our own selfish, sinful nature.

In Matthew 7:24-25, Jesus’ analogy of the man who built his house on the rock promises a level of wisdom and security that cannot be shaken by even the most powerful external and internal forces. What an incredible principle to build our lives on!

We all have a lot of notions about God, and what we think He wants or offers us. In John 14:9, Jesus stated, “He who has seen me, has seen the Father.” By making this claim, Jesus tells us that not only do His words reveal truths about God, but Jesus’ own life and works give us a perfect revelation of God. Through Jesus’ words, we can know the Creator of all life!

In Mark 12:30-31, Jesus tells us that the greatest of all God’s commandments is to love God with everything in us and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Too often we love ourselves more than we love anyone or anything else. The tragic side to our basic nature is revealed when Jesus said that men love darkness more than light because their deeds are evil (John 3:19). If left unchecked our self-centeredness can evolve into a conscienceless existence. But when we abide in His word, we can have eternal life.

Jesus provides both the revelation and the power to break free of our nature and receive His blessings. What may start as an act of blind obedience, simply doing what He tells us to do can become a way of life that exalts Christ, produces amazing results and touches the lives of everyone around us. These are not nice suggestions or words of wisdom, these are the greatest words ever spoken.

This Week Ask the Lord to direct you as you study what He says. Repent of studying the scriptures for any other reason than to become is true disciple.

Prayer Jesus, forgive me for studying the scriptures for reasons other than simply to know You. Please direct me as I learn what You say about Yourself, about me and about everything else.

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Hear Steve Scott talk about the impact of The Greatest Words Ever Spoken on LIFE Today this Thursday, September 25.