We’ve Got the L.I.F.E.
I recently read this sad quote from Woody Allen at age 86: “I don’t want to achieve immortality through my work; I want to achieve immortality through not dying. I don’t want to live on in the hearts of my countrymen; I want to live on in my apartment.”
Jesus said, “because I live, you will live also” (John 14:19b). He also said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10b).
The greatest message Woody Allen or anyone else could ever hear and believe is the Easter resurrection message. It’s all about true life, real life, a “newness of life” (Rom. 6:4b).
How does God spell this “L.I.F.E.”?
It is Liberating life: Because of Christ’s death and resurrection, we have been “freed from sin” (Romans 6:5-7). We were enslaved to sin, but now we are “no longer slaves to sin” (Rom. 6:6) because when “the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).
It is Invincible life: Because of Christ’s death and resurrection, we have a new life that cannot be defeated or overcome. Our “newness of life” (Rom. 6:4) is supernaturally protected by “a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance that is imperishable” (1 Peter 1:3-4) and supernaturally empowered to win against the pull of sin by the indwelling Presence and power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11-13).
It is a Fulfilling life: Because of Christ’s death and resurrection, we don’t just exist, but we live with an “abundant life” (John 10:10) that is full of joy (John 15:11) and doesn’t just gratify, but satisfies (Psalm 107:9).
It is Eternal life: Because of Christ’s death and resurrection, we have a forever life that lives on in a new body (Phil. 3:20-21; 1 Cor. 15:42-44, 49). Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.” In fact, “If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied” (1 Cor. 15:19).
These words of Jesus hit the nail on the head about the resurrection gift of liberating, invincible, fulfilling, and eternal life we are given: “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life” (John 5:24).
Rejoice in this Easter life God has given you for now and eternity!
Keep praying that more and more people in our mission field will be gifted this incomparable life in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Pastor Jeff