In Him Was Life

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In Him Was Life

Each of us needs to consider  our lives.     What is a good life?     Is it having wealth,  a new house,  new vehicles,  grand vacations,  designer clothes,  health,  popularity,  status in the community,  escapades,  etc.,  etc.?

As pleasing as all this might seem,  we can’t take any of it with us  when we die  —  and obviously,  we will all die some day.     Then what?     Then,  what is it  that will be most pleasing and satisfying?     God wants to put us all  on the right track  regarding life after our earthly death.     We don’t all automatically  get to go to heaven  and live in bliss  for all eternity.

First comes God’s judgment  wherein believers are separated  from unbelievers.     Well, we all know that,  so what will it mean  on our judgment day?     Did we honestly believe  in a way  that changed our lives?     In other words,  was our life style changed  when we said we believed  in Jesus?     With the knowledge  of God’s faithful love for us  through faith in Jesus’ sacrifice  on the cross,  did our hearts lead us to repent  of all our sinful ways  —  and in gratefulness and love  for God’s love,  did we start living  to please,  honor,  and praise God?

There needs to be a reaction  to the acceptance  of Jesus’ sacrificial love for us.     What is our reaction?

John 1:4-5 says  about Jesus,  “In Him was life;  and the life was the light  of men.     And the light shines  in the darkness;  and the darkness did not comprehend it.”

In other words,  Christ Jesus  is the one and only one,  who can grant us  eternal “life”  in heaven.     That message  is shown like a “light”  to everyone.     The way the gospel  has been spread throughout the world  is like a “light” shining on everything  God has done for us  in Christ.     Everyone can see it  if they want to see  what the “light” is shining on.     But,  there are many  so involved  with the “darkness”  of their sins  that they don’t care  to look at what the “light”  is shining on.     So, they totally dismiss  God’s message of love and forgiveness,  and just keep on plowing  through their lives  involved with sin.

The apostle John describes their sinful dismissiveness  in verse 11  by saying,  “He came to His own,  and those who were His own  did not receive Him.”     That’s sad.     Those that God created  to be His own,  refused  to accept the sacrificial love  of Christ  to wash away all of their sins.     They were just that proud and self-centered.     They didn’t want the free gift of God’s grace  in Christ.     Jesus’ death on the cross was just too embarrassing  to them.     They didn’t want something like that paying for their sins.     They wanted to claim their own ability  to be worthy  of heaven.

But, in God’s wisdom,  it doesn’t work that way.     Our own ability and strength are worthless.

We need to examine the true worth  of Jesus’ life and sacrifice  of love for us.     It’s contained throughout the whole Bible,  so it’s thousands of years  of evidence  that culminated  in the life of Christ.     It’s worth knowing  because it affects our eternal destiny.

Thankful  for God’s awesome condescending grace  for each of us,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     LORD,  most blessed  is Your faithful love  and patience  with each of us.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

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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