John 1:4-5

John 1:4-5 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

1 John 5:11-12 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

Acts 4:10-12 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

In Christ we have eternal life. He is life and light for those who believe and trust in him: no other name, philosophy, or idea will bring men and women salvation and everlasting life. He alone sits at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for us and fulfilling God's salvation plan on Earth. Outside of him we are naked and abandoned: exposed to the ravages of sin and pain and finally subject to the judgment of God, for He is a righteous and just God and accepts nothing but the shed blood of his dear son as a covering for our wayward ways and sinful inclinations. IN CHRIST, we are clothed with God's righteousness: the mercy and grace provided through the perfect sacrifice Jesus offered willingly for our sins. Jesus came to bring abundant life--eternal life as joint heirs with Christ: that, my friends, is the perfect gift for all time from God to his beloved yet rebellious and disobedient creation.

Sometimes we forget the basic biblical truth that Jesus came to make us children of God, to dwell forever with the Father. Instead, we often cheapen the gospel, making the "good news" all about this life. As a loving father, God looks with concern upon our lives, even though He does intervene through answered prayer, the working and anointing of the Holy Spirit, and through Christ in us our shield and our defender. Nonetheless, this constant watchful care does not represent the most critical aspect of Christ's salvation. He came to rescue and to redeem sinners, to take us home to the Father to the place He is preparing for us. Focusing primarily on this world and almost entirely upon our own personal welfare will cloud our spiritual eyes to the point we do not clearly see God's plan and eventual want only our own way, like a demanding child with a Christmas list that must be met. Jesus came to Earth in the form of man to fulfill God's plans, not ours; just as we are to do his will, not ours. God's will remains the plan He helf from the beginning of time: to bridge the gap between God and man through his son, Jesus Christ.

When we lose God's perspective on life, we tend to function much like the hedonistic world with its self-indulgence, perpetual pursuit of pleasure; and lack of concern for others. Such pleasure-seeking and intemperance eats away at our beliefs and our faith in God. It is difficult to walk by faith and not by sight while overwhelmed by or overly concerned with the issues of everyday living. A trial, tribulation, disappointment, or difficult interaction may pull us down if our eyes are not on God's Word, his gifts and blessings that far exceed any earthly setback or persecution. Look to the apostles for inspiration. They willingly gave their lives for Christ with hardships, persecution, and even the threat of death as their constant companions. Yet they remained steadfast in sharing the gospel message and willing to suffer for Christ to win the lost. Most of us are overly oriented toward this world: our first stoning would undoubtedly discourage us, and a whiplashing or a near drowning might just cause us to wonder whether this Christ-life is worth such a high price. But when we fully accept our inheritance and recognize our privilege as believers because of the price Christ paid on the cross, absolutely nothing in this life will deter us from following Jesus: No other name, no other way, no other truth, only Jesus!

As humans we may concentrate too much on this world no matter how spiritual we are, but the Spirit is there to remind us that regardless of our situation, God came to bring us all his gifts of peace, joy, faith, love, light, and LIFE. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. His light and love shine just as brightly today in our hearts as it did over 2000 years ago. We must acknowledge and hold fast to the truth that we are eternal beings, beloved children of the Most High. He came to redeem us, use us for his glory, perfect what concerns us, and get us ready for eternity with him. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV) IF WE BELIEVE AND PRACTICE THESE SCRIPTURES, NOTHING AND NO ONE WILL DISSUADE, DISTRACT OR DISCOURAGE US FROM TAKING UP THE CROSS AND FOLLOWING WHERE GOD LEADS. This is the message I need and you need, so we can be light and life in this world. Love, Dad (Cliff)