Jesus is The Life

How is Jesus Life? For a Christian, the answer is fairly straight forward and summed up in one word. Resurrection. We believe that Jesus died and was raised from the dead, and through belief in Him we will likewise escape death. How often do we consider the fullness of what this amazing power and gift of Jesus means? Are we laying hold of all that is possible within the precious promise of salvation and life eternal?

What is Life Eternal?

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. – John 17:3

Life eternal is knowing that the only true god is the God of Israel and believing in the Son, Jesus the Christ. What does this mean? When we are given the knowledge that there is only one true God, and Jesus is the only way to God, then we naturally want to know more about who Jesus is. Jesus is The Truth, and the best way to begin to know Jesus is by having our natures changed according to his glory that is revealed to us – glory that shines brighter than the darkness that rules us – freeing us from our old nature and the bonds of this world so that we can experience life.

As we conform to his image more over time, we begin to know more about who Jesus is – because we become as he is (1 John 3:2). Otherwise, we continue in chains to things that kill, steal, and destroy. We are bound to death – both in this present world and eternally as partakers of the second death.

We do not want to be as those to whom God said, “this people honor me with the lips but their heart is far away from me.” Our hearts must be ruled by the Eternal King of Israel – the King of Kings that sits on the throne even now, freeing us from the rulers of darkness in this present world so that we can walk along side him in the kingdom of God even now.

Truly, the kingdom of God is at hand – and it dwells in the hearts of the children of God. Otherwise, our hearts are ruled by the prince of this world, and we will live in a manner that is far from the righteousness of God, and it will be manifest that our love for the Lord was in word or outward appearance only.

Remember, “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” Seeking the kingdom of God above all else places our focus on things that are not of this world and instead on the knowledge of Jesus Christ. When we seek him, we will find him. When we find him, he reveals himself to us by the Holy Spirit who writes the laws of the kingdom on our hearts, changing our natures from death to life.

When the works of sin are complete, we experience eternal death. Through the work of the cross, death is overcome and we are given resurrection in this present world and in the new world to come. We will have life eternal!

Jesus is the Bread and Fountain of Life.

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. – John 6:35

We are told that those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled. What is it we are being filled with? Righteousness, right? Jesus is our righteousness. His body is the bread that was broken for us, and his blood was shed so that his spirit – the fountain of life – would be given to us (John 7:37-39). It is by him and through him that we are filled.

As we continue in the faith and live as if “today is the day of salvation,” we grow more into the image of Jesus and die to self. That means we experience greater freedom from sin, and though we may suffer many things, “all things come together for the good of those who trust in the Lord and are called according to his purpose.” The good we are given is life abundant!

What is Life Abundant?

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. – John 10:10

The idea that Jesus frees us from the darkness in this world might make one think that Jesus offers us protection from suffering. That is not always the case. In-fact, we often seem to suffer most while the “wicked prosper.” Why is that? In Jesus, we will find protection according to what is necessary for us to fulfill our God-given purposes. However, in order to grow spiritually we will suffer many things in this world.

There are those who will tell you otherwise. They will tell you that God wants you to live an abundant life in the things of this world. He wants you to get a better job, car, house, and live prosperously. Basically, he wants you bound to this world. Who do you suppose really wants you bound to this world? There are also those who say sickness, either mentally or physically, means you are cursed by God and those who are His will have deliverance from all illness. In either case, this mindset is one that seeks abundance in the flesh, not abundance in the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

In Jesus, we are not promised an easy life full of riches, popularity, or perfect health. We are promised life abundant in the knowledge of our lord Jesus Christ so that we might walk free from this world – not further ensnared by it.

As they say, light shines brightest in the darkness. When Jesus comes to us despite our degradation and in the midst of hardship, the glory of God is made beautiful to behold! As we are brought out from the depths of sin and we see the Lord working things in our lives, God is glorified. He changes us from fearful, unbelieving, lying, hateful people into someone that has more peace, faith, honesty, and love for others.

When we live in abundance of the Spirit rather than this world, we bring forth fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control. Jesus desires for us to bring forth these fruits of life in order to bring glory to the One who is Life!

Light is Life. Darkness is Death. Light Overcomes All Darkness!

I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. – John 8:12

Jesus is Light and Life. Even in the beginning, when all the creation was covered in darkness, it was The Light that created life!

When we seek Jesus and believe in all that he has promised us, we begin to live a triumphant life – not one in accordance to the wisdom of this world – but triumphant over sin and death. When you walk into a dark room and turn on a light, does not the darkness flee away? Isn’t light more powerful than darkness? When the Light of Jesus shines in our hearts, all manner of darkness that rules us is burned away! As we seek him more, he reveals his glory to us more, and his glory frees us from sin so that we can bring forth more fruit of the Spirit, and in turn God is glorified!

Hold On to the Promise of Jesus and Never Let Go!

Belief in the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God, is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Within, we are promised perfection. We are given a perfected law of the kingdom of God that is absolutely spotless, and more than that, we are given the power to abide by the righteousness of God through the Holy Spirit. As we continue believing that The Life has power over satan and death, our faith is counted to us for righteousness.

Even so, we are awarded according to our measure of faith. If we believe that Jesus will free us from every weight, every chain, every sin – then he will. Day by day, even moment by moment, we are “buried with him in baptism.” We are dying to self and to this world and being raised in newness of life and freed from all things that separate us from God.

Never allow anyone to make you feel as if there is nothing more for you as a Christian. Never allow someone to coerce you into complacency with a one-time “sinners prayer” and a continued “life” hopelessly bound to sin and death. Never allow anyone to tell you that the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit have “ceased.” God does not change, we only move away from Him.

Whatever hardships come, the trial of your faith is a beautiful thing — although it rarely feels like it at the time. Keep going, even if your faith hangs by a thread and praise the Lord who comforts us, strengthens us, and gives us peace that endures all. And remember, your salvation is his work. If you fear losing your salvation, take a look at:

Can We Lose Our Salvation? (Section 1)

Can We Lose Our Salvation? (Section 2)

Can We Lose Our Salvation? (Section 3)

Sin is death and the grave of this world. In Jesus who is The Life, we are overcomers of this world! Believe it! Seek Jesus! Live!

This article is part of the 3-article series, “Why is Jesus the Only Way?”

Part 1: Jesus is The Way

Part 2: Jesus is The Truth