The Light of Life. pg. 20

 Eternal life.

“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3)

Mortals can only imagine immortality since we are subject to the laws of physics. But imagine we do. I’ve heard some pretty far out imaginations, as I am sure we all have, concerning what happens next. Most will acknowledge there must be more than just this life. Forming philosophies, or borrowing them from others, men seek peace of mind.  Strange religions declare their solutions to avoid the end of life, but only the Creator can grant what we desire.

“So Jesus said to them again, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.
I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, they will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” (John 10:7-11)

There is no shortage of deceivers. At first they called themselves apostles. “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15) Today these “deceitful workers” disguise  themselves as prophets, evangelists or pastor/teachers, “but the sheep did not hear them.” 

 Abundant life.

The children of God are led by the “good shepherd” into the light of truth. Our struggle is to be obedient to the truth. Thank God for His patience, tolerance and forgiveness as we learn that obedience is the secret to an abundant life in Christ. “Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. (Hebrews 5:8) Jesus did not learn to be obedient. He learned the cost of obedience. Are we not also the sons and daughters of God?

Many saints have left their witness of life in Christ. The simplest expressions are often the most profound. “Trust and obey, for there is no other way to be happy (blessed) in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” (John H. Sammie 1846-1919)