LIFE!

(Philippians 4:3) “...whose names are in the book of life.”

LIFE! What a beautiful ring it leaves on the ear, it kind of gets us up and on the go, with a sparkle in one’s eye. It is a characteristic that distinguishes objects that have signalling and self-sustaining processes (i. e., living organisms) from those that do not, death its antonym.

This morning I would like us to consider some of life’s advantages over death’s doom...

From the outset we must conclude that creations drive all hinges on this word “life” as we all look to live and avoid death, from the smallest to greatest of all of God’s creatures. But what I find rather intriguing as I ponder this is that both have their role to play in God’s economy. Both equally needed or are they? How would we value life if we never understood death? Do we remember in the beginning when God created Adam the custodian over creation; “The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." (Genesis 2:15-17) – Death is introduced for the first time, but I wonder if the concept was ever conceptualised by Adam prior to his disobedience, I somehow doubt it. The reason I say this, if he had understood the meaning of death and what that entailed, why then did he not eat from the tree of life? It was never forbidden! With that now in mind the understanding of death’s sentence now quickens mankind and all living organisms to fight for survival. We then must therefore conclude that death helps all fight for life. Nevertheless with the introduction of death arrives the “knowledge of good and evil”! (“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die”). I love to consider thoughts like these as they magnify the brilliance of God as His ingenious unfolds. When we reason with our carnal minds we will undoubtedly miss His luminosity: - “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” (Romans 11:33)

Without Adam’s sin we would never have understood the need for life and yet with it came death and disobedience, can you see a glimpse of God’s brilliance? His plan set in motion for the long haul, establishing son-ship for eternity.

Yet with death a new commandment was bellowed from the heavens, no longer were they entitled to eat from the tree of life: - “He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.” (Genesis 3:24)

From that day forth mankind has been fighting for life. The law came through Moses and stringent rules were introduced to a people that God had signalled out as His own, His promise to father Abraham. The Israelites were forced to follow a set of regulations in order to live, yet through time all it proved was that it was an impossible task. Why then was it implemented? I believe the Apostle Paul explains it well, he has much to say on the subject, but the jist of his teaching is this; the law was introduced amongst other things to teach us that we needed a Saviour to give us life as the law proved that we were sinners and needed help to bridge the gap between man and a Holy God. “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster {(pahee-dag-o-gos) - by implication an instructor, our tutor} to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” (Galatians 3:24) 

With many philosophies on life and its origin, there is only one hope for mankind and that is in and through the life giver Himself, the Lord Jesus! He has now made a way for all who would call upon His name. He lived on earth without sin and then He died a cruel death for sin and on the third day He rose again, proving His authenticity. Do you believe in His resurrection?

LIFE can and will only ever be found in Him! Look where you may but all it will produce is death. So in order to find life we must come in and through the Life-Giver, the Lord Jesus Christ as no one else has the power to grant life. Praise His name and magnify God the Father for providing a way for sinful man to find LIFE.

This is now my excitement, I now have a spring in my step, sure life has many challenges and with it may come many failures, but without Christ I would be without hope, yet now I have a hope that shines bright and sure. I owe my life to Him. Where do you stand? How I love the simplicity of the gospel, I once sang a song and I now sing it again; “whosoever will to the Lord may come, He’ll not turn one away.” Praise the amazing achievement of this great Saviour, honour and glory belongs to Him and Him alone. He will not share His glory with another, why should He? As He alone has the keys to life as He has conquered death. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. (Romans 6:9) 

I implore you to come, call upon the name of Jesus and find LIFE. No wonder Paul has this to say; “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” (1Corinthians 2:2)

Did you know that every knee will bow to Him, even those who think that there is no need to pay Him homage! Yes ever person ever born will confess Jesus as Lord, as He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. “By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: 'To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.'” (Isaiah 45:23)

Signing off

Tyrone