Saturday, October 26, 2013

Shalom,

I know that the apostle John has always been called the "Apostle of Love" because of his teachings on love, but I think that a real case can be made for calling him the "Apostle of Life" or even the "Apostle of Light", also! He mentions "life" 36 times in his Gospel and 13 times in his Epistle of 1 John. He mentions "light" very often, too, and many times in conjunction with "life". Look at John 1:4-5:

4 In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. KJV

This "life" is the Greek word "zoe" and it means: life as a principle, life in the absolute sense, life as God has it, that which the Father has in Himself, and which He gave to the Incarnate Son to have in Himself; of the absolute fullness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God; Now look at John 10:10 from the Amplified Bible:

10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). AMP

THAT is zoe, God's life, and HE wants US to have it in us to the overflow! HALLELUJAH! THAT is God's will for His people! Look again at John 1:4-5 from the Amplified Bible:

4 In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. 5 And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it]. AMP

The light that comes from the Life inside of us is meant to expose the darkness and put the enemy on the run! As a born again believer in Jesus Christ, YOU have this Life and Light INSIDE of you! We read 1 John 1 in our Bible Reading Plan for today. Look at verses 1-4:

1[WE ARE writing] about the Word of Life [in] Him Who existed from the beginning, Whom we have heard, Whom we have seen with our [own] eyes, Whom we have gazed upon [for ourselves] and have touched with our [own] hands. And the Life [an aspect of His being] was revealed (made manifest, demonstrated), and we saw [as eyewitnesses] and are testifying to and declare to you the Life, the eternal Life [in Him] Who already existed with the Father and Who [actually] was made visible (was revealed) to us [His followers]. What we have seen and [ourselves] heard, we are also telling you, so that you too may realize and enjoy fellowship as partners and partakers with us. And [this] fellowship that we have [which is a distinguishing mark of Christians] is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah). And we are now writing these things to you so that our joy [in seeing you included] may be full [and your joy may be complete].

How can you increase your joy level? By meditating on this wonderful and powerful "LIFE" that is inside of YOU! This LIFE that drives out darkness and death! Romans 8:2 speaks of the Law of the Spirit of Life!

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. KJV

AMEN! YOU have LIFE, now go spread that LIFE to the lost and light up the darkness around you! Here is a song I have used many times, but it is extremely appropriate today! Hillsong Live with "Children Of The Light":



Shalom in Him!