“Spiritual Life is in Christ” by Tim Childs

   The words of Jesus continue to resonate while bringing reassurance and joy to our hearts since they are equally true today as they were when first spoken by our gracious Lord: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

   It is so wonderful to be a Christian and joyfully experience the life, peace and freedom one can only know when he is “in Christ” and abiding in him (John 15:1-14).  A Christian is one who knows the immeasurable joy felt within the heart by having the remission of his sins and the removal of his guilt.  The Apostle Peter answered the inquiry of some whose hearts were pricked by the gospel message on Pentecost: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2:38).  Like the obedient believers on Pentecost and the Eunuch of Ethiopia (Acts 8:39), we rejoice and praise God because our sins are forgiven through Christ’s offering of himself.

   Jesus, the Son of God, came not into this world for the purpose of condemning us (John 3:17) (Which he rightfully might have done due to our unrighteousness), but rather he came to deliver and save us from our sins.

   According to Jesus’ teaching in John 3:18-21, you and I have the obligation of making a choice as we live in the present: to come into the light and walk therein with Jesus and consequently experience no condemnation; or, we may choose to remain in darkness and continue walking in our evil ways and thereby incur God’s wrath and be punished with “everlasting destruction” (2 Thessalonians 1:9).  The choice is an individual one.  I cannot make it for you, nor can you make it for me.

   One of Christ’s Apostles asks a straightforward question you and I need to contemplate as well: “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”  (Romans 2:4)  May our hearts not be deceived and so hardened by the deceitfulness of sin until we fail to be moved by God’s grace and loving kindness.

   May you and I show our love to God and love him supremely “because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).  Today is the day of salvation…tomorrow may be too late!  Come to Jesus now.