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Thursday, September 26, 2024

THE PASTORS PEN


 




In the gospel of John, the apostle proclaims many things about the Lord Jesus. He says that Jesus is eternal, that He was with God in the beginning, and that He IS God. John says that Jesus created and made all things. And then he says that in Christ was life and that it is this life that is the light of men.


It is clear here that John is playing off of the Genesis event of creation. It is also clear that John is saying that all of life is the result of the One by whom life exists. We live and move and have our being because Christ has deemed it so and because all things hold together in Him (Acts 17:28; Colossians 1:16-17). There is no life apart from Christ. For many of us this is a great joy, understanding our connection and inevitable relationship to the Creator of the Universe. He is the way, the truth, and the LIFE. And those who believe and embrace this strive to live their lives in a way that is pleasing to the Giver of life. But others who deny this connection show it in their disdain, disgust, and behavior that is contrary to the things of God or what is sometimes called the natural order. Sadly, those who kick against the goads will soon enough find out that it is pointless to deny and/or defy Him. God has set a day in which Christ will judge the world and He has proven that this day will occur by raising Jesus from the dead.

You see, the Resurrection of Christ isn’t a so-called Christian event. No, it is a global and universal event that encompasses all of time and space. This is why, on that day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. Why? Well, because He is. He is the Lord of the Universe. He is the Lord, of both, the spiritual and physical realm. He is the Lord of history; of kings and principalities; countries and domains. And yes, He is the Lord of LIFE. Calvin once said, “Not even the smallest drop of life can be found outside of Christ.” This applies to both friend and foe of the Savior and without discrimination or prejudice of any kind. Do you rejoice in this? Do you take comfort in knowing that your life is intimately connected with Christ who is God? If not, I hope that you would turn to Him today and see that, not only is He worthy of worship, but that He is the only One worth worshipping. May the light of life shine brightly in your hearts today as you look to Him in all things!