Wednesday, November 2, 2011

HE IS LIFE

Reading the last chapters of Revelation recently, I was impressed anew with the emphasis on life. It is crucial that each of us be sure our name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life! (chap. 20) In the new Jerusalem, John records several times that there will be both a River of Life and a Tree of Life (reminding us of the tree of life in the Garden of Eden). (chap. 21, 22) There will be no death in that city for Life abounds.
I was reminded of how often John emphasizes life in his Gospel, beginning with the opening verses that affirm in Christ "was life and the life was the light of men". Jesus offers living water to the woman at the well. (John 4) The theme that Christ is the source of life continues through the book. Jesus is the bread of life, He is the light of life, He is the resurrection and the life. Jesus is the way, the truth and the Life!
What a tragedy that some people hesitate to follow Christ because they fear they will miss some of what "life has to offer".That generally seems to mean "what sin has to offer."
Anyone who has some understanding of Scripture and of Christ would not make the mistake of thinking something or someone offers more of "life" than does Christ. If you really want to live, you must enter a relationship with Christ for He is the source of true, real life.
In fact the Apostle Paul that used this terminology (at least it is found in the oldest and best Greek manuscripts) when he wrote: "In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." I Timothy 6:19
Keep holding onto and enjoying "the life that is truly life".

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