“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through Him, and nothing was created except through Him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, …(John 1:1-4).
“I Am the Resurrection and the Life. Anyone who believes in Me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in Me and believes in Me will never ever die…” (John 11:25, 26).
Although Jesus took upon Himself full humanity and lived as a man, He never ceased to be the eternal God who has always existed, the Creator and Sustainer of all things “the One who holds all creation together” (Colossians 1:17), and the source of eternal life. This is the truth about Jesus Christ, and the foundation of all truth. If we cannot or do not believe this basic truth, we will not have enough faith to trust our eternal destiny to Him.
In contrast to the thief who takes life, Jesus gives life (John 10:10). The life He gives right now is abundantly rich and full. It is eternal, yet it begins immediately. Life in Christ is lived on a higher plane because of His overflowing forgiveness, love and guidance. Have you taken Christ’s offer of life? Have you eaten the Spiritual and Living Bread’ from heaven that satisfies and leads to eternal life? To eat the” ‘Living Bread’ means to accept Jesus Christ into your life and become united with Him; by believing in His death (the sacrifice of His life) and resurrection; and by devoting yourself to living as He requires, depending on His teaching for guidance, and trusting in the Holy Spirit for power. Ultimately, He would join His divine life to yours, both now and eternally (John 6:48, 51; 14:6).
Many things can take God’s place in our lives. These include anything that substitutes for the true faith; anything that denies Christ’s full deity and humanity, any human idea that claims to be more authoritative than the Bible, any loyalty that replaces God at the centre of our lives. But He came to earth to die in our place for our sins, and through faith in Him, we have eternal life and the power to do His Will. Just as Christ asked Martha if she believed that He is the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:26); “do you believe that Jesus Christ is the source of all life?”
“He who believes in Me, though he may die, he will live …” (John 11:25) was Christ’s declaration. He is the embodiment of resurrection, the upsurge that conquers death and all its agents. He is the Life and every life draws from Him. No death can hold Him or whatsoever He touches. He is the constant Supplier and Restorer of life; the One that keeps a man fresh continually. In His presence, and with a continuous walk with God in a close communion, life is asssured. If we lose not the abiding position in Him as the branch, then life will ever flow. It is Life that is steady, stable, and steadfast; Life everyday; Life every time; Life everywhere; Life eternal; Life abiding; Life abounding; and Life abundant.
Since we have been raised to new life with Christ, we ought to set our hearts on the realities of heaven – putting heaven’s priorities into daily practice; letting heaven fill our thoughts; concentrating on the eternal rather than the temporal (Colossians 3:1,2; Philippians 4:7).
Being dead to this life, we should have as little desire for improper worldly pleasures as a dead person would have. The Christian’s real home is where Christ lives (John14:2, 3). This truth provides a different perspective on our lives on earth – to look at life from God’s perspective and to seek what He desires. It provides the antidote to materialism. It provides the antidote to sensuality because by seeking what Christ desires, we have the power to break our obsession with pleasure and leisure activities. It also provides the antidote to empty religiosity because following Christ means loving Him with all our hearts, strength, etc, obeying His word, and serving Him diligently in this world. Apostle Paul offers the strategy that would help a Christian live for God day by day, namely: imitate Christ’s compassionate, forgiving attitude; let love guide your life; let the peace of Christ rule in your heart; always be thankful; keep God’s Word in you at all times; and live as Jesus Christ’s representative. (Colossians 3:12-17).
Have a joyful week as you prayerfully get connected to the ‘Source of Life’ and experience an unimaginable satisfaction in Jesus!
Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon
Igein Isemede