I Am the Resurrection and the Life
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I Am the Resurrection and the Life
When Jesus’ friend, Lazarus, had died and Jesus was talking to his sister Martha about the resurrection, Jesus said something that we all need to keep in mind. In John 11:25-26, 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. Do you believe this?
This is what Jesus wants us to believe — and He is asking us, “Do YOU believe this?”
Jesus pointed out that we all certainly do go through an earthly life process of death. Our earthly body ceases to function and we are buried and our earthly body decays. But, that is only the outward appearance of the matter for Christians. Over and above that, Jesus asserts, “Everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.”
In saying, “never die”, Jesus means that Christians simply pass from this life over to our heavenly home, to be with our Lord forever — even though the earthly body is decaying in a grave. The real “us” never dies. That’s a most wonderful promise that we know Jesus will keep because He Himself is resurrected from the dead. Jesus has the power to have believers simply pass over into everlasting life.
Many people will give a sigh of relief when they hear this and will think, “Well good! I know about this Jesus. He was a good guy and really helped a lot of people. I’m sure Jesus really lived and died on that cross. That means I get to go to heaven.”
Not so fast. We do need to believe and do all of God’s word — not just the parts that seem to be beneficial. Jesus specifically says, “Everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.” So, we do need to be doing a couple things — live in Jesus, and believe in Jesus.
How do we live in Jesus? “Living” is the same as “abiding”. In John 15:10 Jesus explains how His followers honestly “live” in Him. He says,
If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.
Commandments!!?? But, I’m not able to keep a bunch of commandments! That’s true. We are all born sinners. How can we possibly keep His commandments? With love. The whole book of 1 John talks about this. When we honestly realize and accept, in fact, that God Almighty truly does love us and proved that love in Jesus Christ, we are enabled to love God. We read in 1 John 4:19, “We love, because He first loved us.”
Then, driven by a love for God, we begin to want to live in that love. So, instead of having rebellious feelings towards God, believing in His love for us in Christ Jesus, develops a desire to willingly live in obedience. 1 John 5:3-5 explains,
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith. And who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Let us always keep our eyes on Jesus and the great depths of His love for us, believing His every single word to us. As we learn and return His love for us, He will enable us to obey His commandments. Willing obedience is the result of love.
So, from beginning to end, it is just a matter of lovingly letting God work in our lives. With God in our lives, we will never die — but live to His glory and say, “Hallelujah! My Lord, You truly do all things for me. No wonder Your praises are sung forever in heaven.”
Love,
Margaret
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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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