“Jesus said unto him ‘. . .I Am The Life’. . .”

John 14:6c

No wonder Paul said, “For in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28a); he knew the difference between Life and death.

How do you know if something’s alive?

“Well, you just know,” someone replies.  “It’s just obvious.  It’s breathing.  It’s got a heartbeat—unless, of course, it’s a plant or a tree or something like that.  And, even then you can tell if it’s alive because it’s healthy, got a good color, not wilting or drooping, etc.  You can just tell when something’s alive by looking at it.”

Is that so?

Maybe in the biological, physical world.  But, what about in the spiritual realm?

That’s not so easy, is it?

No, not at all—for many a person who darkens the door of a church building is a walking dead man, woman, boy or girl (Eph. 2:1-3). . .filled with “dead men’s bones” (Mt. 23:27).  Outwardly, they are beautiful.  Physically fit.  Healthy.  Well-to-do.  Every hair in place.

But, inwardly, they are dead.  Spiritually dead.  Eternally dead.  Living in emptiness and despair.  No purpose.  No passion.  Just existing.  And, dreading the “inevitable.”

And, we know what that is, don’t we?

Most assuredly:  The Big “D.”  That great Enemy that lurks in the shadows, just waiting to pounce on the unsuspecting, whether in the playpen or the palace.  Ultimately, he’ll come looking for everyone of us.

The question is “Will we be alive when he comes or will we have settled for some cheap imitation of the Real Thing?”

Jesus knew about counterfeits and substitutes.  He knew the stench of death surrounds us from the time we’re born.  As someone said, “We’re but one heartbeat away from death at any given minute.”

Yet, this One sent from Heaven came to change all of that.

He was/is Heaven’s Rose Who came to transform that stench by His indwelling Presence.  He chose to be born in a manger. . .live a life of continual suffering and abuse. . .die a horrible death on the Cross. . .just so He could deliver us from that “stench of sin” and infuse us with Life.  Himself.  His Resurrection Life that energizes and enlivens.

The question, then, is “Do you know Jesus, The Life?”

Have you ceased struggling in your “search for the truth” and found Him to be all you’ll ever need?  Are you daily “abiding in Him” (Jn. 15:1-7). . .“walking in His Spirit” (Rom. 8:1) . . .as He fills your heart and mind with Himself?

Just as the eye sees without thinking about it and the ear hears without contemplation, so is “abiding in Him” and “resting in Him” (Mt. 11:28-30) evidence of His Presence within.  As someone said, “Know Christ, know Life.  No Christ, no Life.”  Let Him be Himself in you today.  Then watch what He does in/through you.

By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated December 10, 2009