In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we often find ourselves asking, “What is the meaning of life? How can I live a life that truly matters?” These questions aren’t just philosophical musings—they touch the very core of our existence. We yearn for a life that is full of purpose, joy, and fulfillment. Yet, so many of us feel as if we’re merely surviving rather than truly living.
The Apostle John, in his first letter, offers us profound insights into what it means to experience true life. His message, though written centuries ago, resonates with our deepest desires today. It’s a message that not only challenges us but also invites us to step into a life that is vibrant, purposeful, and eternal. This life, as revealed through Jesus Christ, is not just an abstract concept but a tangible reality that we can experience daily.
The Source of True Life
When we talk about life, we often refer to our physical existence—our daily routines, our goals, and our relationships. But the life that John speaks of goes far beyond mere existence. He writes in 1 John 5:11-12, “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. The one who has the Son has life. The one who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
What John is describing here is a life that is found in Jesus Christ—a life that is not just about the quantity of years we live, but the quality of those years. It’s about living in a way that reflects the very nature of God, who is love, light, and life itself. This life is not something we can manufacture on our own; it’s a gift from God, made available to us through His Son, Jesus.
When we accept Jesus into our lives, we are not just adding a religious element to our existence. We are stepping into a new reality—a reality where life is defined by our relationship with God. This life is eternal, meaning it’s not limited by time or circumstances. It begins the moment we embrace Jesus and continues forever. It’s a life that is full of purpose, direction, and meaning because it is rooted in the One who created us and knows us better than we know ourselves.
But what does it look like to truly embrace this life? It begins with recognizing that our old way of living, driven by self-interest and worldly pursuits, is not the life God intends for us. Jesus offers us something far greater—an abundant life that overflows with His love, peace, and joy. This life is characterized by a deep, intimate relationship with God, where we find our identity, purpose, and fulfillment in Him alone.
Experiencing Life through Jesus
John begins his letter by emphasizing the tangible, real-life experience that the apostles had with Jesus. He writes, “What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us” (1 John 1:1-2).
Jesus was not an abstract idea or a distant deity; He was a living, breathing person who walked among us. The apostles heard His voice, saw His actions, and touched His physical body. Through their encounter with Jesus, they experienced life in its fullest sense. This wasn’t just about witnessing miracles or hearing profound teachings—it was about being in the presence of the very source of life itself.
Jesus didn’t just talk about life; He embodied it. His compassion for the hurting, His love for the lost, and His unwavering commitment to doing the will of the Father all point to what true life looks like. Jesus showed us that life is not about self-centered ambition or fleeting pleasures. It’s about loving others, serving those in need, and living in a way that honors God.
To truly experience this life, we must walk as Jesus walked. This means living a life of compassion, service, and obedience to God’s will. It means letting go of our own agendas and desires and embracing the life that God has for us. Jesus showed us the way, and He calls us to follow in His footsteps. As we do, we will discover the true meaning of life—one that is rich with purpose, joy, and fulfillment.
The Promise of Eternal Life
One of the most beautiful aspects of the life that God offers us is its eternal nature. When John speaks of eternal life, he’s not just talking about life after death. Eternal life is a present reality for those who are in Christ. It’s a life that is deeply connected to God and is characterized by a relationship with Him that transforms every aspect of our existence.
John writes in 1 John 2:25, “And this is the promise that he himself made to us: eternal life.” For the early believers, this promise was not just a future hope but a present experience. They understood eternal life as something that begins now, in this life, and continues into the age to come. It’s a life that is infused with the presence and power of God, a life that is marked by peace, joy, and purpose.
Living with the assurance of eternal life changes the way we approach our daily lives. It gives us the strength to endure challenges, the courage to stand firm in our faith, and the hope that our future is secure in God’s hands. Eternal life is not just about what happens after we die; it’s about living in the fullness of God’s love and purpose here and now.
This eternal life is a gift, but it also comes with a responsibility. We are called to live in a way that reflects the reality of this life. This means making choices that honor God, pursuing righteousness, and seeking to live in harmony with others. It means living with an eternal perspective, recognizing that our time on earth is just a small part of the bigger picture. When we live with this perspective, we find that our priorities shift, our values align with God’s kingdom, and our lives take on a deeper significance.
The Transformation from Death to Life
John makes it clear that the life we have in Christ is radically different from the life we had before. He writes in 1 John 3:14-15, “We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers and sisters. The one who does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.”
The evidence of this transformation from death to life is our love for others. Love is the defining characteristic of those who have eternal life. It’s not just a feeling or an emotion; it’s an active commitment to the well-being of others. Jesus demonstrated this love through His actions, and He calls us to do the same.
This love is not optional; it’s essential. It’s the proof that we have been brought from death to life. When we love others, we reflect the life of Christ that is within us. This love is sacrificial, selfless, and unconditional. It’s the kind of love that forgives, heals, and restores. It’s the kind of love that brings life to our relationships, our communities, and our world.
But love is not always easy. It requires us to step out of our comfort zones, to forgive when we’ve been wronged, and to serve others even when it’s inconvenient. It means loving those who are difficult to love, those who have hurt us, and those who are different from us. This is the kind of love that Jesus modeled, and it’s the kind of love that we are called to live out every day.
This transformation from death to life isn’t just a theological concept; it’s a lived reality. Our love for others, our kindness, our compassion—all of these are signs that we have eternal life within us. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us, giving us life. This life isn’t just for us to enjoy; it’s for us to share with others.
The Power of Words and Actions
Our words and actions have the power to either bring life or cause death. Proverbs 18:21 reminds us, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” The way we speak to and treat others reflects the life (or lack thereof) within us.
John warns us about the dangers of hatred, anger, and unforgiveness. These are the antithesis of the life that God desires for us. Hatred and bitterness bring death to our souls and to our relationships. But when we choose to forgive, to speak words of encouragement, and to act with kindness, we bring life to those around us.
In our interactions with others, we have the opportunity to reflect the life of Christ. We can choose to be peacemakers, to bring healing, and to build up rather than tear down. Our words and actions are a testimony of the life that resides within us. When we live in a way that reflects Christ, we not only experience life ourselves, but we also share that life with others.
But living out this kind of life requires intentionality. It means being mindful of the words we speak, the attitudes we harbor, and the actions we take. It means choosing to respond with grace instead of anger, with love instead of resentment. It means being a source of life in a world that is often filled with negativity, division, and despair.
Our words can either build up or tear down. They can either bring healing or cause harm. As followers of Christ, we are called to use our words to speak life into the lives of others. This means offering encouragement, sharing wisdom, and speaking truth in love. It also means refraining from gossip, criticism, and harsh judgment. The power of our words cannot be underestimated—they have the ability to shape lives, influence decisions, and change hearts.
In addition to our words, our actions play a crucial role in reflecting the life of Christ. The way we treat others, the choices we make, and the priorities we set all speak volumes about the life that resides within us. Are we living in a way that honors God and reflects His love? Are our actions consistent with the teachings of Jesus? These are important questions to ask ourselves as we seek to live out the abundant life that God offers.
Embracing Eternal Life
Living out the eternal life that we have in Christ is not just about personal piety or religious rituals. It’s about allowing Christ to live through us in every aspect of our lives. Paul writes in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
This means that our identity is rooted in Christ, and our actions reflect His love. It means that we live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that our lives are part of a larger story—God’s story. It means that we love sacrificially, serve selflessly, and live with a deep sense of purpose.
Every day, we have a choice to either promote life or contribute to the spread of death. The choice we make reflects who we are following—Jesus, the author of life, or the ways of the world that lead to death. As followers of Christ, we are called to embrace life in all its fullness and to share that life with others.
This life is not meant to be hoarded or hidden away; it is meant to be shared, to be a beacon of hope in a dark world. When we live out the eternal life within us, we become a living testimony of God’s love and grace. We show the world that there is a better way to live—a way that is full of love, joy, peace, and purpose.
A Call to Reflect and Act
As we reflect on the life that God offers us, we are invited to consider how we are living our lives. Are we truly experiencing the life that God has for us? Are we living in a way that reflects the love, light, and life of Christ? Are our words and actions bringing life to others?
This is not just a call to personal reflection; it’s a call to action. It’s a call to live out the eternal life that God has given us in tangible ways. It’s a call to love others as Christ has loved us, to speak words that bring healing, and to act in ways that reflect the life of Christ.
As you go about your daily life, remember that you have been given the gift of eternal life. Let this truth shape the way you live, the way you love, and the way you interact with others. Embrace the life that God has for you, and let that life shine brightly in a world that desperately needs it.
May you experience the fullness of life in Christ, and may your life be a testimony of God’s love and grace. As you walk in this life, may you inspire others to seek the same, to turn to Jesus, and to find in Him the abundant, eternal life that He offers to all who believe.
So today, take a step towards living out this life. Be intentional in your words, deliberate in your actions, and consistent in your love. Let your life be a light that points others to Christ, and may you find joy and fulfillment in the knowledge that you are living the life God created you to live. This is the life that truly matters—life in Christ, for Christ, and with Christ, now and forevermore.
The Apostle John, in his first letter, offers us profound insights into what it means to experience true life. His message, though written centuries ago, resonates with our deepest desires today. It’s a message that not only challenges us but also invites us to step into a life that is vibrant, purposeful, and eternal. This life, as revealed through Jesus Christ, is not just an abstract concept but a tangible reality that we can experience daily.
The Source of True Life
When we talk about life, we often refer to our physical existence—our daily routines, our goals, and our relationships. But the life that John speaks of goes far beyond mere existence. He writes in 1 John 5:11-12, “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. The one who has the Son has life. The one who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
What John is describing here is a life that is found in Jesus Christ—a life that is not just about the quantity of years we live, but the quality of those years. It’s about living in a way that reflects the very nature of God, who is love, light, and life itself. This life is not something we can manufacture on our own; it’s a gift from God, made available to us through His Son, Jesus.
When we accept Jesus into our lives, we are not just adding a religious element to our existence. We are stepping into a new reality—a reality where life is defined by our relationship with God. This life is eternal, meaning it’s not limited by time or circumstances. It begins the moment we embrace Jesus and continues forever. It’s a life that is full of purpose, direction, and meaning because it is rooted in the One who created us and knows us better than we know ourselves.
But what does it look like to truly embrace this life? It begins with recognizing that our old way of living, driven by self-interest and worldly pursuits, is not the life God intends for us. Jesus offers us something far greater—an abundant life that overflows with His love, peace, and joy. This life is characterized by a deep, intimate relationship with God, where we find our identity, purpose, and fulfillment in Him alone.
Experiencing Life through Jesus
John begins his letter by emphasizing the tangible, real-life experience that the apostles had with Jesus. He writes, “What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us” (1 John 1:1-2).
Jesus was not an abstract idea or a distant deity; He was a living, breathing person who walked among us. The apostles heard His voice, saw His actions, and touched His physical body. Through their encounter with Jesus, they experienced life in its fullest sense. This wasn’t just about witnessing miracles or hearing profound teachings—it was about being in the presence of the very source of life itself.
Jesus didn’t just talk about life; He embodied it. His compassion for the hurting, His love for the lost, and His unwavering commitment to doing the will of the Father all point to what true life looks like. Jesus showed us that life is not about self-centered ambition or fleeting pleasures. It’s about loving others, serving those in need, and living in a way that honors God.
To truly experience this life, we must walk as Jesus walked. This means living a life of compassion, service, and obedience to God’s will. It means letting go of our own agendas and desires and embracing the life that God has for us. Jesus showed us the way, and He calls us to follow in His footsteps. As we do, we will discover the true meaning of life—one that is rich with purpose, joy, and fulfillment.
The Promise of Eternal Life
One of the most beautiful aspects of the life that God offers us is its eternal nature. When John speaks of eternal life, he’s not just talking about life after death. Eternal life is a present reality for those who are in Christ. It’s a life that is deeply connected to God and is characterized by a relationship with Him that transforms every aspect of our existence.
John writes in 1 John 2:25, “And this is the promise that he himself made to us: eternal life.” For the early believers, this promise was not just a future hope but a present experience. They understood eternal life as something that begins now, in this life, and continues into the age to come. It’s a life that is infused with the presence and power of God, a life that is marked by peace, joy, and purpose.
Living with the assurance of eternal life changes the way we approach our daily lives. It gives us the strength to endure challenges, the courage to stand firm in our faith, and the hope that our future is secure in God’s hands. Eternal life is not just about what happens after we die; it’s about living in the fullness of God’s love and purpose here and now.
This eternal life is a gift, but it also comes with a responsibility. We are called to live in a way that reflects the reality of this life. This means making choices that honor God, pursuing righteousness, and seeking to live in harmony with others. It means living with an eternal perspective, recognizing that our time on earth is just a small part of the bigger picture. When we live with this perspective, we find that our priorities shift, our values align with God’s kingdom, and our lives take on a deeper significance.
The Transformation from Death to Life
John makes it clear that the life we have in Christ is radically different from the life we had before. He writes in 1 John 3:14-15, “We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers and sisters. The one who does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.”
The evidence of this transformation from death to life is our love for others. Love is the defining characteristic of those who have eternal life. It’s not just a feeling or an emotion; it’s an active commitment to the well-being of others. Jesus demonstrated this love through His actions, and He calls us to do the same.
This love is not optional; it’s essential. It’s the proof that we have been brought from death to life. When we love others, we reflect the life of Christ that is within us. This love is sacrificial, selfless, and unconditional. It’s the kind of love that forgives, heals, and restores. It’s the kind of love that brings life to our relationships, our communities, and our world.
But love is not always easy. It requires us to step out of our comfort zones, to forgive when we’ve been wronged, and to serve others even when it’s inconvenient. It means loving those who are difficult to love, those who have hurt us, and those who are different from us. This is the kind of love that Jesus modeled, and it’s the kind of love that we are called to live out every day.
This transformation from death to life isn’t just a theological concept; it’s a lived reality. Our love for others, our kindness, our compassion—all of these are signs that we have eternal life within us. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us, giving us life. This life isn’t just for us to enjoy; it’s for us to share with others.
The Power of Words and Actions
Our words and actions have the power to either bring life or cause death. Proverbs 18:21 reminds us, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” The way we speak to and treat others reflects the life (or lack thereof) within us.
John warns us about the dangers of hatred, anger, and unforgiveness. These are the antithesis of the life that God desires for us. Hatred and bitterness bring death to our souls and to our relationships. But when we choose to forgive, to speak words of encouragement, and to act with kindness, we bring life to those around us.
In our interactions with others, we have the opportunity to reflect the life of Christ. We can choose to be peacemakers, to bring healing, and to build up rather than tear down. Our words and actions are a testimony of the life that resides within us. When we live in a way that reflects Christ, we not only experience life ourselves, but we also share that life with others.
But living out this kind of life requires intentionality. It means being mindful of the words we speak, the attitudes we harbor, and the actions we take. It means choosing to respond with grace instead of anger, with love instead of resentment. It means being a source of life in a world that is often filled with negativity, division, and despair.
Our words can either build up or tear down. They can either bring healing or cause harm. As followers of Christ, we are called to use our words to speak life into the lives of others. This means offering encouragement, sharing wisdom, and speaking truth in love. It also means refraining from gossip, criticism, and harsh judgment. The power of our words cannot be underestimated—they have the ability to shape lives, influence decisions, and change hearts.
In addition to our words, our actions play a crucial role in reflecting the life of Christ. The way we treat others, the choices we make, and the priorities we set all speak volumes about the life that resides within us. Are we living in a way that honors God and reflects His love? Are our actions consistent with the teachings of Jesus? These are important questions to ask ourselves as we seek to live out the abundant life that God offers.
Embracing Eternal Life
Living out the eternal life that we have in Christ is not just about personal piety or religious rituals. It’s about allowing Christ to live through us in every aspect of our lives. Paul writes in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
This means that our identity is rooted in Christ, and our actions reflect His love. It means that we live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that our lives are part of a larger story—God’s story. It means that we love sacrificially, serve selflessly, and live with a deep sense of purpose.
Every day, we have a choice to either promote life or contribute to the spread of death. The choice we make reflects who we are following—Jesus, the author of life, or the ways of the world that lead to death. As followers of Christ, we are called to embrace life in all its fullness and to share that life with others.
This life is not meant to be hoarded or hidden away; it is meant to be shared, to be a beacon of hope in a dark world. When we live out the eternal life within us, we become a living testimony of God’s love and grace. We show the world that there is a better way to live—a way that is full of love, joy, peace, and purpose.
A Call to Reflect and Act
As we reflect on the life that God offers us, we are invited to consider how we are living our lives. Are we truly experiencing the life that God has for us? Are we living in a way that reflects the love, light, and life of Christ? Are our words and actions bringing life to others?
This is not just a call to personal reflection; it’s a call to action. It’s a call to live out the eternal life that God has given us in tangible ways. It’s a call to love others as Christ has loved us, to speak words that bring healing, and to act in ways that reflect the life of Christ.
As you go about your daily life, remember that you have been given the gift of eternal life. Let this truth shape the way you live, the way you love, and the way you interact with others. Embrace the life that God has for you, and let that life shine brightly in a world that desperately needs it.
May you experience the fullness of life in Christ, and may your life be a testimony of God’s love and grace. As you walk in this life, may you inspire others to seek the same, to turn to Jesus, and to find in Him the abundant, eternal life that He offers to all who believe.
So today, take a step towards living out this life. Be intentional in your words, deliberate in your actions, and consistent in your love. Let your life be a light that points others to Christ, and may you find joy and fulfillment in the knowledge that you are living the life God created you to live. This is the life that truly matters—life in Christ, for Christ, and with Christ, now and forevermore.
Recent
Walking Humbly in a Divided World: A Call to Live Differently
October 14th, 2024
Loving Faithfulness in a Divided World: A Call to Live Out Mercy
October 7th, 2024
A Call to Deep Faith: Reflecting Inwardly, Loving Outwardly
October 3rd, 2024
Embracing Change in a Time of Transition
October 3rd, 2024
The Call to Act Justly
October 1st, 2024
Archive
2024
September
2023
January
April
2022
October
December