Life! Spiritual life! Do you possess it?

I do. Read on!

One of the most important, distinguishing characteristics of Christianity is that Jesus Christ freely gives eternal life to those who trust in Him. The Bible says, “Christ is our life” (Colossians 3:4). “Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). “Whoever believes in Him has (the present tense emphasizes it is happening now) eternal or everlasting life” (John 3:15-16). That spiritual life becomes ours at the very moment our rebellious will repents or turns from its sinful lifestyle and receives the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

That’s why we sing, “What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought Since Jesus came into my heart.” Indeed, the born again experience is a life-changing experience of such radical quality that it is described as a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). That’s why we can confidently share the gospel with others. It is because the gospel works! The good news of being born again is accompanied by the presence of the life-changing Christ.

Let me add the words of our former pastor, Lee Roberson: “I have a reason to question the salvation of anyone who does not specifically say that he came into his salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Too many people in this age ‘get religion.’ It is not religion we need, but Christ. In the Gospel of John, the word ‘life’ appears forty-four times and the word ‘religion’ not once.”

C. I. Scofield once told a young preacher that he did not believe the young preacher had ever been born again. The young man said, “I got religion ten years ago at such a place.”

Scofield responded, “That’s interesting. While you were getting religion, why didn’t you get saved?”

The confused young man asked, “Isn’t getting religion getting saved? Didn’t Jesus come to bring religion?”

Scofield replied, “No. Jesus Himself tells why He came: ‘I have come that they might have LIFE!’”

The young man soon saw his need, discarded his religion and received the living Christ as his Savior.

Conclusion: our ministry is about life…spiritual life…the born again new nature that changes an individual’s life. The gospel works because it has the power of God in it! Keep sowing the gospel…it contains the life that people need!

“In Him was life and the life was the light of Men.” John 1:4

 Tom Swartzwelder was born again at the age of nine in an old-fashioned revival meeting. Tom received his B.A. from Tennessee Temple University and his M. Div from Luther Rice Seminary. He has pastored for nearly forty years in both bi-vocational and full-time roles. He provides practical how-to-do-ministry resources for the disciples of Jesus Christ at http://www.godsgreenhouse.net. Tom’s latest book is “God Speaks–Today!”

Photo by Aaron Burden on Freely Photos