He lives, the Great I
Am
Alive
By Randolph Gonce
May 29, 2018
Just finished my morning coffee,
I am alive.
My shoulder and back ache,
I am alive.
Visiting with two of my grandsons,
I am alive.
Aware of my existence,
I am alive.
Thinking about eternity,
I am alive.
Knowing His love within me,
I am alive.
Filled with hope for eternity,
I am alive.
What is life? Physical life is evidenced by activity. Breath, heartbeat, and mental activity evidence the presence of life.
There is another level of life, which involves our connection with our Creator. The death (end of life), pictured in the Garden of Eden story, is to be disconnected from the Creator. The Great I Am is life, and so long as we are connected with Him, we are alive, even if we have died physically. Our connection with Him must be evidenced by some activity, some spiritual heart beat, some evidence of His Spirit within us, some activity that demonstrates love.
Physical life is important, as it provides us the opportunity to be a blessing to others. But Eternal life is beyond comprehension in the blessing it provides of making us God’s glorious children in Eternity.
As Jesus faced death, He focused upon eternity as He prayed to the Father.
The High Priestly Prayer
17:1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you,2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
Yes, Jesus wants us to share His eternal glory. Paul says that our present suffering is not worth comparing with the eternal glory we have in Jesus.
Treasure in Jars of Clay
2 Cor 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.
13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
So physical life is not the big deal, even though it is important, and gives us existence. Without first having physical life, we would have no hope of eternal life. But we live our physical lives, and have the hope of eternal life by faith in the blood of Jesus.
The Preeminence of Christ
Col 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Jesus shows Himself alive to the disciples following His resurrection. Seeing, they believe, even doubting Thomas. Read this interesting story about Thomas in India.
http://rgonce.blogspot.com/2015/01/because-he-lives.html
Jn 20:26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Thomas sees and believes
The Purpose of This Book
Jn 20:30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Believing, have life in His name!
I believe, I am alive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB4KcleYiWM
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