TRUE WISDOM: LISTENING TO THE WORDS JESUS SPOKE

          By A.W. Tozer

         Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this,
           said; This is an hard saying, who can hear it? John 6:60

                In the world of men we find nothing approaching the
         virtues of which Jesus spoke in the opening words of the
         famous Sermon on the Mount.  Instead of poverty of
         spirit we find the rankest kind of pride; instead of
         meekness -- arrogance; instead of mourners, we find pleasure
         seekers; instead of hunger after righteousness, we hear men
         saying, "I am rich and increased with goods and have need of
         nothing"; instead of mercy, we find cruelty; instead of purity of
         heart, corrupt imaginings; instead of peacemakers, we find men
         quarrelsome and resentful; instead of rejoicing in mistreatment,
         we find them fighting back with every weapon at their command!

                Into a world like this the sound of Jesus' words comes
         wonderful and strange, a visitation from above.  It is well that He
         spoke, for no one else could have done it as well; and it is good
         that we listen, for His words are the essence of truth.

                Jesus does not offer an opinion, for He never uttered opinions.
         He never guessed; He knew, and He knows! His words are not
         as Solomon's were, the sum of sound wisdom or the results of
         keen observation.  He spoke out of the fullness of His Godhead,
         and His words are very Truth itself.  He is the only one who could
         say "blessed" with complete authority, for He is the Blessed One
         come from the world above to confer blessedness upon mankind!

                Best of all. His words were supported by deeds mightier than
         any performed on this earth by another man.

                It is wisdom for us to listen!

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         Yours in Christ,
         Paul N. F.