Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep; ... whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
When Jesus came to our world, he came to give us life. He didn't come to bring us a new set of rules, or harsh judgment, or deepening fear, or even a lot of work we have to do for him to love us. Jesus came to give us life in its fullest form. While we know this is promised to us when we go to be with him for all eternity, John wants us to hear clearly that Jesus promises to give us life, genuine life that begins right now! When we believe in him, build our lives on him, and obey him, we pass from the world of sin and death into true life (
John 5:24). When we believe in him, we have life in him that will never die (
John 11:25-26). When we trust in him through baptism, our life is joined to his life and our lives are secure with Christ in God (
Colossians 2:12-15,
3:1-4). This means Jesus' life, his abundant life, starts now! Jesus didn't come to offer "pie in the sky in the sweet by and by." Oh yes, we do go to be with him forever when we die (
Philippians 1:21-23). But the life Jesus has for us isn't just life later; it's abundant life that begins right NOW!
Almighty God, I confess that sometimes I play at life too carefully, avoiding failure and loss and not reaching for your opportunities and challenges. Please give me a bolder heart, a heart that yearns to live life in all its fullness by seeking your will, following Jesus' example, and asking the Holy Spirit to guide me in my decisions today and lead me into your tomorrows. In the name of Jesus, I ask for this boldness to approach life and live it to your glory. Amen.
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