The concept of life has been explained under many instances in the bible. The bible says what life is not and what life is. We need to understand these facts in order to appreciate life as God ordained it.
Our view of life
To the thoughts of man, life is all about merry making. The rich fool said, let us make merry for tomorrow we will die, Luke 12:19. It is about throwing parties, Judges 16:25. Such was the nature of Dives, Luke 16:19-31. We also think that life is about wealth or its abundance. Jesus said further in Matthew 4:4 that man shall not live by bread alone, but by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of God. In effect life is also not food. Jesus asked if life is not more than food and drink, Matthew 6:25; Luke 12:23. Life is in essence more valuable than all these pleasures of life.
We tend to focus on material life and what makes the body comfortable rather than spiritual man and his needs which are also spiritual. Material things for the body have been classified as vanities in several verses such as Ecclesiastics 1:2-4. Life is eternal whilst other pleasures are not because what we call as life will so soon pass away, Matthew 5:18. The only thing permanent is the word of God and life in eternity, Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33.
What life is not?
Jesus said in Luke 12:15 that life does not consist in the abundance of wealth. In other words, wealth is not the barometer for life. Physical life begins in the womb and ends upon death but the spirit and soul live on in eternity either for good or evil. Therefore life is not permanent in this life except in eternity. We are only in transition here on earth. Hebrews 9:27-28 says it is appointed unto man once to die and thereafter judgment and that Christ will come the second time. This is a confirmation that life will certainly end one day. The question is, are we ready to face judgment?
Whatever the word of God does not sanction is not life. However what the bible approves is life because its observance leads to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Life is not inequality or refusing to share, 2 Corinthians 8:14. Earthly treasures are not life, Matthew 6:19-21. To understand life, we must be led by God. Colossians 2:3 says in him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
What does life consist of?
Romans 5:17 says life consists of grace. This means that the life we have is by God’s grace. Jesus elucidated this fact when he said in John 14:6 that he is the way, the truth and the life. In order to have life, we must have Jesus. John 6:53 says that truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those without Christ are therefore spiritually dead. Simply put, only Jesus exemplifies and epitomizes life in its true and original content.
Any person who has life affects the lives of others positively and Jesus is a perfect example. Jesus was a friend of tax collectors and sinners and it was part of the reasons why Jesus was crucified, Matthew 9:10-11, Mark 2:15. Life is about love, John 13:34-35; 15:2-17. It is about grace, John 14:16. It is about peace, John 14:27. These were what Jesus demonstrated which we must follow suit.
Life is about sharing with the poor and needy, Mark 10:21. Life is also about eternal life, Matthew 19:16-17; 21. Jesus’ teachings exemplify what life is all about. He talked about repentance, Mark 1:15 and seeking first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, Matthew 6:33. True life acknowledges God as the only source of life, Matthew 6:27. Life cannot be exchanged for anything, Mark 8:37; Luke 12:25. Life is for sacrifice hence Jesus gave his life as ransom for us, Mark 10:45; John 10:10.
Life must be preserved in holiness and righteousness, Luke 1:75. Life resides in Christ, John 1:4. Life is derived from the spirit of God, John 6:63. Jesus said he is the resurrection and the life, John 11:25. Those of us who have lost our lives could have them restored by Christ Jesus. We can do so upon our repentance through Jesus Christ our Lord, Acts 11:18. We cannot fake life because we shall be known by our fruits, Matthew 12:35. Do we have life as God intended it to be? If not, Paul says come to Jesus to make it anew, 2 Corinthians 5:17.
The inevitable caution
However we perceive life or deceive ourselves about the nature of life, our lives will surely come to an end one day. However, no one knows the day except God. This must be a caution to us and must make us eternally vigilant. This demands righteous living guided by the word of God, meditation in the presence of the Holy Spirit. We need the Holy Spirit to energize us to dedicate our lives to prayer and to fasting and to wait on God for his will in all things.
The transition period will soon dawn upon us without any further notice. It is not those who shout Lord, Lord that shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but those who do the will of the Father who is in heaven, Matthew 7:21. He who trusts in his riches will wither, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf, Proverbs 11:28. We also read from Isaiah 40:6-8 that all flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away, Isaiah 64:6.
Job 14:2 says he comes forth like a flower, and withers; he flees like a shadow, and continues not. Psalms 103:15 says as for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. Are we ready to account for our stewardship? Life is the most precious gift of God to us and therefore our accounts must equally meet the standards of value. Our question for the day should be to ask ourselves individually, do I have life in Christ Jesus to qualify for eternal life?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, please lead us to appreciate the purpose of life so we may not be found wanting when we appear at your judgment seat. In your holy name and through your precious blood we pray, Amen!!
