How can we "accept" and "know" Jesus' words in our daily lives? Setting Our Hearts on John 17:8 “For I have given them the words You gave Me, and they have received them; they knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that You sent Me.” (John 17:8) What It Means to Accept Jesus’ Words • Acceptance begins with recognizing their origin: the Father Himself (v. 8). • It involves receiving the words, not merely hearing them (James 1:21). • It is inseparable from believing in Jesus’ divine mission (John 5:24). Practical Ways to Receive His Words Daily • Dedicated Scripture intake ‒ Read thoughtfully: aim for quality over quantity, letting a smaller passage linger. ‒ Memorize key verses; hide them in your heart (Psalm 119:11). • Active listening in study ‒ Ask, “What does this plainly say?” before looking for deeper insights (2 Timothy 3:16). ‒ Compare Scripture with Scripture; let the Bible interpret itself (Acts 17:11). • Immediate obedience ‒ Put into practice any clear directive you see (Luke 6:46-49). ‒ Start small: speak truthfully, show kindness, forgive quickly (Ephesians 4:25-32). What It Means to Know Jesus’ Words • Biblical knowing moves from mental grasp to intimate familiarity (John 8:31-32). • It carries the certainty that His words are truth, not opinion (Proverbs 30:5). • It grows through continual abiding, not occasional visits (John 15:7). Practical Ways to Grow in Knowing Him • Meditation ‒ Turn verses over in your mind throughout the day. ‒ Link them to real-time situations: decisions, temptations, joys. • Application ‒ Journal how a passage shapes your priorities, schedule, relationships. ‒ Evaluate life choices against the standard of His teaching (James 1:22-25). • Testimony ‒ Share what you learn; teaching solidifies knowledge (Philemon 6). ‒ Speak naturally about Scripture in conversation, showing its relevance. Everyday Habits That Keep His Words Alive • Morning orientation: start the day by rehearsing a promise or command. • Midday recalibration: pause to recall and realign with what you read. • Evening reflection: review where His word guided or corrected you. Encouraging Benefits of Accepting and Knowing • Confidence in prayer: “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish” (John 15:7). • Stability amid storms: building on rock, not sand (Matthew 7:24-27). • Deepening fellowship with Father and Son (1 John 1:3). Putting It All Together Accept His words by receiving, believing, and acting on them; know His words by abiding in, meditating on, and sharing them. Do this daily, and you will experience the certainty and life that overflow from the prayer of Jesus in John 17:8. |
    |