Jesus Is Life
Jesus is the Life: Finding True Abundance in Christ
In John 14:6, Jesus makes a profound statement: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." We've explored what it means that Jesus is the way and the truth, but today we're focusing on what it means that Jesus is the life.
Everyone wants to live life to the fullest. But what does that really mean? And how do we get there?
What Does It Mean That Jesus is the Life?
In John 10:10, Jesus says, "The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it more abundantly."
When we think about stealing, we often think about physical possessions. But what's the most important thing we have while on earth? It's life itself. In life, we experience joy, blessings, finances, and everything else. And Jesus came specifically to give us life - not just existence, but abundant life.
Life Within Boundaries
God's design for abundant life includes boundaries. Just like cows that experience joy running in a pasture (even though they're still within fenced boundaries), we experience true life within God's boundaries.
Think about the Garden of Eden. God placed Adam and Eve in a perfect environment where all their needs were met. They had just one boundary - one tree they couldn't eat from. But they decided to go through that fence, and we've been dealing with the consequences ever since.
Why God's Boundaries Matter
In John 10:7-9, Jesus says: "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep... If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture."
Jesus is both the way and the door. He's the entrance to salvation and abundant life. When we enter through Him, we find pasture - a place of nourishment, rest, and life.
Sin might look fun for a season, but it will:
Cost you more than you wanted to pay
Take you further than you ever wanted to go
Keep you longer than you ever wanted to stay
Finding Rest in Jesus
In Matthew 11:28-29, Jesus says: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
In Jewish culture, religious leaders had added countless rules to God's law. What was meant to be life-giving had become burdensome. Jesus offered something different - rest from trying to work for salvation and freedom from man-made rules.
Jesus wasn't abolishing the law but showing its heart - love. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself." All the law hangs on these commands.
The Deceitful Heart Problem
Jeremiah 17:9 tells us, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick. Who can understand it?"
Too often, we try to follow our hearts, but our hearts can lead us astray. That's why we need Jesus to transform our hearts and guide our paths.
We can't be delivered from the nastiness of our hearts, but we can crucify it daily. As Paul said, "I die daily." We must pick up our cross and crucify the desires and thoughts that aren't of God.
The Danger of Rationalizing Scripture
Many people today rationalize Scripture - they blend it up and pour out their own opinion. They take what they like and ignore what they don't. This is dangerous territory.
When we start rationalizing Scripture, we change truth. We get too close to the fence and stray from the way. And the enemy makes sin look fun again through that temporary euphoria.
Purpose and Meaning in Life
When you don't feel purpose and meaning in your life, you'll struggle with sin. Your primary purpose is to glorify God in everything. Your meaning comes from Him.
All believers are called to worship and serve God. Then He gives us specific gifts and anointings to fulfill our unique purpose.
Life Beyond This Life
Is physical life always fun? No, because there's sin in this world, and our bodies are dying. But Jesus offers the hope of resurrection. Even if we die physically, we'll be raised from the dead and live with Him eternally.
Unlike other religions that have no concept of forgiveness, Christianity offers forgiveness through Jesus. God wants us to serve Him by choice, not by force.
Life Application
Take some time to reflect on these questions:
How much of your life are you trusting God with, and how much are you relying on your own abilities?
Is Jesus truly the way, the truth, and the life for you, or is He just a "get out of hell free" card?
Are you fully surrendered to Him, or do you just attend church as your "labor" to get to heaven someday?
In what areas of your life do you need to surrender control to God this week?
The abundant life Jesus offers can only be experienced through full surrender. When we try to live life our own way, we miss out on the fullness God intends. This week, identify one area where you've been relying on yourself rather than God, and intentionally surrender it to Him.
Remember, Jesus didn't come just so you could exist - He came so you could truly live.
