God Is Life

If I were to ask any Christian (or any human who believed in an eternity) if they would like eternal life, I’m confident they would answer yes. I mean, who wouldn’t? Death is scary. Not existing at all is even scarier. The idea of living on eternally is appealing to most people.

            Yet, if I were to have you define eternal life, I wonder what you would say? Heaven? That’s probably the most common answer. When we die we go to Heaven and live eternally in a white robe with a halo and wings, and let’s not forget about that harp! But, I wonder if this is the Biblical picture of eternal life.

            John is called the disciple who Jesus loved. He was very close to Jesus. We could even use the word intimacy (in a purely non-sexual way) to describe the relationship that John had with Jesus. So when John writes something about our savior it would do us good to listen to what he has to say.

           

            “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—” (1 John 1:1–2 ESV)

            1 John is filled with many “God is…” statements – God is light, God is love, and God is greater – yet one that is often overlooked is “God is life.” Though the phrase “God is life” doesn’t explicitly appear in these verses the message is still there. Let’s explore these verses together.

            Notice that John first explains how he was a witness of the incarnation, that is, God in human form. He speaks of that which was from the beginning. In the Greek, this not only is speaking of always existing, but also of having authority. He is speaking of one who has always existed and always ruled. In other words, God himself.

           

            Yet he also says that we have heard, seen, and even touched, that which was from the beginning. This speaks of Christ who took on human flesh. He then refers to Christ as the word of life. This life was made manifest. What does that mean? It means that Christ appeared into human history. It is this life that we proclaim. Yet this life was with the Father and was made manifest.

            You see, John here speaks of eternal life, not as an event, or place, or even a position, he speaks of eternal life as a person, namely Jesus Christ.

            There is no life without God. God created life. It wasn’t until God breathed into Adam that life was given to him. Adam was created with a tree of life so that he wouldn’t have to face death. Just as Adam brought physical life to all the earth, Jesus brought eternal life to all the earth. Yet He did more then bring life, He is life.

            If you want eternal life it starts with The Eternal Life. Do you know the one who is life? This is not just a gift that God gives; it is a central part of who He is. Do you love life? Do you have life? Do you know life?

            “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days” (Deuteronomy 30:19–20 ESV)

Check Your Temperature

"Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people. He waits to be wanted. Too bad that with many of us He waits so long, so very long, in vain." - A.W. Tozer
“ ...What a a beautiful gift it is to have the one you love look you in the eye and say, ‘I love you. Not your beauty, your money, your family, or your car. Just you.’ Can you say that to God?” -Francis Chan
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.  You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” -Revelation 3:15-17
There is a deadly disease infecting our churches. I see it all the time. There isn’t one person who is immune, but there are a few who survive this cancer and live to tell about it.
I’m talking about complacency.
So many of us “Christians” have become lukewarm. We lack the true desire, love and devotion our Savior demands. We want a nice comfortable balanced life. We go to church, we do good things and give to charity now and again, but these things are not what being a true Christian is all about.
Francis Chan writes in his book Crazy Love:
“Lukewarm people say they love Jesus, and He is, indeed, a part of their lives. But only a part. They give Him a section of their time, their money, and their thoughts, but he isn’t allowed to control their lives.”
Christ doesn’t want lukewarm followers, He wants people who are fully devoted to doing his will. To be a Christian is to follow Christ. Following Christ involves taking up your cross daily, denying yourself, and loving the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Are you doing these things? Can you honestly say Jesus is all you need? Would you forsake everything and follow Him? Do you love Him with every fiber of your being? Sadly, most people do not. Even in the church, it is hard to find truly devoted Christ followers. Most people just don’t think God is worth it, though they never say it. Most people never truly know God, nor do they want to.
Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian. Following Jesus with all your heart makes you a Christian.
God doesn’t want fake love. Fake love is love that involves little or no sacrifice and commitment. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” If you are not obeying His commands, you do not love Him. It may sound harsh and judgmental, but that is what the Word says. We often get confused about what is necessary to get to Heaven. Do we need to do good works? Do we only need to say a prayer? Do we really need to give God our lives?
I’m not God and I’m in no place to judge others salvation, but what I think God really cares about is our hearts. He really does want you and me to give Him everything. If we have given Him everything, we will have no problem obeying His commands. In fact ,following his will becomes a joy. God wants you to step out of the crowd and be His. Only His. He doesn’t want you to be a lukewarm person, who is partly in God and partly in the world. He wants you to be hot, to be on fire! You must burn for Christ!
God is the Greatest good. Actually, he is the only good. The love he has for you reaches further than the universe. He doesn’t need to love you, but he does. He is perfect and chooses to love us imperfect, foolish beings. What he wants back is our love. He wants us to live a life where our love for him is shown to all the world, and His love for us. I know it’s not easy, but a time is coming when we won’t even have to try to love Him. We will see Him face to face. We will be made perfect, and be in perfect unity with our creator.