Christ is Our LIFE

Dr. Avant pointed us to a powerful truth yesterday in his sermon. He took us to Colossians 3:3 where Paul tells the believers at Colosse': " For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you will also appear with him in glory." Our life is hidden with Christ because Christ is our life.

As I heard our pastor speaking on this verse, I was reminded of John 14:6 where Jesus says: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man (or woman or child) comes to the Father but by me." Notice from this verse the exclusivity of Christ as the holder of life and access to the Father. He is the only one who offers authentic life.

Jesus told Martha in John 11:25 "I am the resurrection and the life." Notice here the power of the life we have in Christ. It is eternal and victorious even over death! Martha's brother and Jesus' friend, Lazarus, had died four days earlier. Martha needed to realize not just that God had a plan for resurrection of those in the faith, but also that the plan was a person and his name is Jesus. Jesus is the victor over death!

Remember the name Jesus is derived from the Hebrew yeshua. The name Joshua comes from this word, and Jesus does too. The name literally means salvation. Our life and our salvation is found in Christ. So, our life is sourced in, held by, and offered by none other than Jesus Christ.
That is good news. No, that is great news!!

Dr. Avant said something to us that I had never heard put the way he put it. The truth of what he stated I had heard. Hearing it put a new way, though, brought the truth home to my heart in a fresh way. The statement he made follows:

God the Father loves YOU as much as he loves God the Son.

Some people have followed the formula for defeat we learned in the message yesterday so long that all they need to know is the truth of the above statement. How do we know it is true? God the Father allowed God the Son to pour himself out to death - on a cross - so that we might have LIFE. That's love in the most pure sense. Sacrificial, others-centered love.

Let that love wash over you today. Are you wounded in a relationship? Let the love of Christ heal those wounds in your heart. Then extend that same healing to the other party in the wounded relationship. Do you have a stolen identity? Do you have a destructive addiction? These things only lead to death. Allow the life-giving love of Christ lead you out of those place.

Right now, embrace the love of the one who has embraced you , where you are, in this moment, with all your imperfections.

Lord Jesus,

We know there are those living in defeat and destruction and despair who have never experienced your love. Lead us to them Lord, so we can help them trade in the lies and the pain for the truth and love and grace. In you alone can they find life. You are life, Christ. Eternal in duration and meaningful for the present. Lord, help us be life givers.

In your name I pray, Amen.

Dwight Munn