With a Subtitle: True life is found not in culture’s slogans but in the living words of Jesus.
A brief Excerpt: In John 6:63 Jesus declares that His words are spirit and life. Real life is not found in slogans or culture’s promises but in trusting and obeying the words of Christ.
Scripture
Our verse for today comes from John 6:63, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.”
Background
Life is good. I have seen, as I’m sure you have, that saying on many t-shirts in many different styles. I guess once something makes it onto a shirt, we can finally accept it as true. In our culture, we do tend to trivialize things, boiling them down to a cute saying on a shirt or a catchy bumper sticker. We promote our causes and glorify our beliefs, all in the name of the good life that we share. One person’s good life is hiking or climbing, another’s might be found in their politics, and someone else’s could be fighting to end breast cancer. These interests are fine, and can even be noble and selfless. But do they give life? Are they what life is about? Jesus said and did many things while He walked on this earth. And He told us here that His words are life. He has said what life is for, how life is to be, and what gives life to this body we live in.
Application
But how do we treat the words He has spoken to us? Do you believe your life comes from what He says? Do you believe in His actions on the cross and ignore so many of His words out of His mouth? Do you love your enemies and pray for them? How about that politician, political party, or foreign country that makes your blood boil? Where are they on your prayer list? Can your life be good if you are carrying around resentment for others that Jesus died for? Who of us is more concerned with the log in our own eye more so than the specks in others’ eyes? Don’t we feed our judgmental natures by listening to gossip and tuning in to the talking heads, validating our desire to condemn their ways, while we stroll along, lazy and content that we know Jesus and He surely hates their sins? Jesus said He wants us to have life, and to have it more abundantly. He gave us life when He rose from the grave. His abundant life is found in taking seriously the words that He told us. Can we add to His abundance with our t-shirts or business ventures? He is the way, the truth, and the life. Let His words speak to you.
Charge
As we seek Him today, think about how much you believe what Jesus has said. Find a word from Him and make it true in your life. Let your spirit live the good life He intended for you.
Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words
Distributed by – BCWorldview.org