Jesus' cousin John the baptist preached about Jesus and baptized believers. Third, the Word as his nature is deity.6 The Word is not only distinct from God (the Word was with God), but the Word is God (theos).7 An equally decisive statement about the deity of Jesus is made in John 1:18: No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. Once again John not only speaks of Jesus as pre-existing and being relationally with God (the Only God, who is at the Fathers side), but clearly states that he is God (the only God, monogens theos8). Jesus taught his disciples about how knowing the truth - and being obedient to it - leads to a satisfying life: John 8:31-32 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 1. It is highly literary and symbolic. Our worldview affects both our thinking process and our everyday behavior. In Johns Gospel, darkness represents a world that is spiritually separated from God and that is ruled13 over by Satan, (John 12:31; cf. And continue to work on your character, and understand how God has formed you through your family and experiences in life. Through Mary, Jesus was born in the royal lineage and inherited the right to David's throne. John 6:46; 1 John 1:2). Science has shown evidence for the existence of the Creator. The things that are meant to bring us fulfillment and joy sometimes cause us the greatest grief and misery. Of course not. It is the culmination of all the goals we have in life. But what does this wonderful promise meanespecially when bad things happen? As you might imagine, people ask the big-picture type of questions, especially when theyre going through really tough times or when there are big changes in life. One of the most important discoveries that a person can make is when they realize they were made for God. Money and things are for those who deserve it. Theres much to fear in todays world. Gods love (agape) is unconditional and throughout this life, we learn to love like He has loved us (1 John 4:8). So what did Christ mean when He said, My yoke is easy and My burden is light? Jesus was born in Bethlehem to his parents, Mary and Joseph. Paul, formerly known as Saul, is the real example of a man whose life was radically transformed after an encounter with Christ. Before mankind fell and the curse of sin came upon the earth, the following things were true: 1) God made man a social creature ( Genesis 2:18-25) 2) God gave man work ( Genesis 2:15) 3) God had fellowship with man ( Genesis 3:8) 4) God gave man dominion over the earth ( Genesis 1:26 ). How can you sort through the confusion? The author believes before we examine the meaning of life, we need to first embrace the miracle of life. John 13:31-32: " Therefore when he had gone out, Jesus said, 'Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him; if . This is the reason God created Adam, the first man and placed him in a garden to work it and take care of it (Gen. 2:15). David, Im a former LEO and now a police chaplain and award-winning author. If not, you can tap into life-changing gems of knowledge that lead to genuine joy and contentment. The Word was the one who breathed physical life into the first man, Adam (Genesis 2:7; cf. He is the author of 13 books in the New Testament (possibly 14 if we include Hebrews), which lays out important foundations of Christian faith we believe today. According to the Bible, in John 17:3, the meaning of life is to know Jesus Christ. Jesus says in Luke 17:33 (ESV) Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it. The only way to find life is to find it in God and in pursuit of Him in every season of life. Often when humans dont understand why bad things happen, they begin to blame, which leads to bitterness and feeling of hopelessness. 1. When we feel discouraged, we can ask God to help us turn things around. They anchor your life. Life is growth, change, and experience. What does the Bible reveal about the way of peace, and how can we live that way? Humans have yearned for and struggled for peace, but still it has eluded us. What does God say about trends in thinking in the end time? Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. His very presence lifts my spirit and calms my anxious nerves. Amid his suffering, Job desperately cursed his birth (Job 3), but he still had faith in the redeeming power of God (Job 19:25). To live as orphans apart from the Father in heaven is to miss out on a significant part of the meaning of life. We can ask Him into our hearts, to change us from the inside out. When we put our trust in Him, we can begin to understand the real meaning of life.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'pursuitbible_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_13',111,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pursuitbible_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); When we base our lives on knowing God, we can rightly appreciate the good and beautiful things in life. In a rapidly changing world, amid a deluge of ideas and opinions, how can we clearly see what is right and wrong? That was his assignment. We have freedom of choice and we either do the right thing with a grateful heart or selfishly we react and sin. Jesus defined eternal life when He said, "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent" ( John 17:3 ). Jesus Born in a Bethlehem Manger: Significance & Meaning. It does not follow the same order or reproduce the same stories as the synoptic gospels. Where can we find true wisdom? Jesus, also called Jesus Christ, Jesus of Galilee, or Jesus of Nazareth, (born c. 64 bce, Bethlehemdied c. 30 ce, Jerusalem), religious leader revered in Christianity, one of the worlds major religions. I pray that youll experience the fullness of all that God has for you. The Christian way of life is the best way of life possible! We do this by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Peter encouraged persecuted Christians to be ready always to give an answer for the hope that is in you. What does this mean for Christians today? The good and bad examples in the Bible can make what may seem to be abstract principles come to life. If you enjoyed this article, here are some that you might find helpful: I wrote an article that explores what the Bible says about heaven and uncovers the 5 most commonly held myths and misconceptions: 5 Surprising Truths About Heaven in the Bible: What Is Heaven Like? And when we come face-to-face with our own personal brokenness, we look for a way out. He enters into our brokenness. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version ( 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.). He will change your heart and open your eyes to truth. This is what God says, the God who builds a road right through the ocean, who carves a path through pounding waves, the God who summons horses and chariots and armies they lie down and then cant get up; theyre snuffed out like so many candles: Forget about whats happened; dont keep going over old history. And I wish you the best on your blog! Without Christ there is no access to God and . Marriage is only between a man and a woman. The broken things like sadness and sickness still exist in our lives when we have Jesus, but we have his presence to walk through those things with us. Life is being a temple for the Holy Spirit to live. We cant focus on God and on our idols at the same time. Jesus' arrest, crucifixion and resurrection. Help us share the truth of Gods Word and the gospel! 1 Corinthians 8:6). Some life choices are made after careful thought. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. In the early evening, after arriving in the home, he has supper (John 12:1 - 2). Jesus said He came so His followers "may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" ( John 10:10 ). Jesus' love was costly love (John 13:31-32). Obviously, God did not need to create man. The Word became flesh in order that through his sacrificial death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, Jesus would bring about eternal life to all who trust in him (John 3:1516, 11:2526, 14:6). The article has truly peaked my interest. Jesus (also called Christ which means king or Messiah) was born in Israel 2000 years ago. Here's life according to Jesus in 3, 2, 1.. Second, the Word has an eternal relationship with God (the Father, John 1:18). Is there even a reward? Life is full of emotion, miracles and facts. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Jesus answered him according to his beliefs and quoted the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) and Lev. But God doesnt want us to be trapped by feeling vulnerable. He sends out the 12 disciples to heal the sick. The alarm startles you awake. Others are spur-of-the-moment, but can have lasting impact. All the things we gain from this world are dust in the wind. 3, for a calling to be truly from Christ we must have a "Damascus road" experience., According to Pace and Wheeler Ch. The Bible defines Jesus Himself as the author and giver of life, but also as the definition of life itself. When we know God as our Father, we can learn to trust and receive love. But God calls us to rise above prejudice and promises a world where it cant exist. This is because we live in a world of brokenness. The world we live in and the life of every person has a purpose and is not just the product of chance, random events, and biological selection. I have been struggling to find my purpose in life for the last five years. Jesus also claims that there is no other way to God, the Father, except through Him. This definition makes no mention of length of days, health, prosperity, family, or occupation. Suppose life is about all the above-mentioned, would someone then be truly fulfilled after achieving all those good things (Matthew 16:26)? The verb became (egeneto) does not mean there was a change in the deity of the Word; rather, he took on a human nature (cf. The knowledge of God leads us to worship and love Him more. The scientific study of resilience shows how to increase our chances of recovering from challenges. His disciples became convinced that he rose from the dead and appeared to them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. For the wicked, unbelievers will bring glory to God through judgment by being objects of his wrath for eternity. Birth of Jesus to His Death. Jesus commands us to love one another even as He loved us. We need boundaries, tough love, and rules to guard our hearts from hurtful people. God gave us the Bible to teach us the best way to live and to give us examples of others to learn from. Paul wrote some inspiring and beautiful sentiments, such as, In everything give thanks. But is that literally realistic? This life means eternal life in heaven. I think of the path that you go on as your assignment from God. Our Savior came to earth to testify to God's . But is that what the Bible says? He fills us with His spirit and helps us love one another better. How can I know Gods will for my life? Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. Calvinism: A Southern Baptist Dialogue. Paul: Know Jesus Christ. 1, Pace's recommended prayer strategy includes account, which means to count . God is not after about enforcing His list of dos and donts. The Bible teaches that there is only one true and living God (Deuteronomy 6:4; cf. Mistakes are bound to happen and its pretty much a guarantee that there will be disagreements. But for Christians the need to manage time is even more urgent. I pray that youll experience the fullness and abundance of life in Jesus Christ! Perhaps youll find that God is speaking to you through your life and through His Word, the Bible. John 1:1 follows the Greek translation (Septuagint, LXX) of Genesis 1:1. Were launching a new column to explore some common Christian struggles in greater depth. Gospel According to Matthew, first of the four New Testament Gospels (narratives recounting the life and death of Jesus Christ) and, with The Gospels According to Mark and Luke, one of the three so-called Synoptic Gospels (i.e., those presenting a common view). Answer When the Bible speaks of eternal life, it refers to a gift of God that comes only "through Jesus Christ our Lord" ( Romans 6:23 ). . Life for Job could mean a journey of knowing God and trusting Him in every moment, especially the darkest ones. I have had an on again and off again relationship with God over this time. How Daniels Prophecy of 70 Weeks Connects to the End Times. As the one who is at the Fathers side, the Word makes the Father known to us (cf. The English word "love" has many shades of meaning, but the "love" that Jesus spoke of is a translation of the Greek word agape. Having a close relationship with God enables them to face the . All rights reserved. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:19-21). The kingdom of God is about living in truth, peace, and joy through the work of His Spirit in our hearts (Romans 14:17). For instance, war victims, natural disaster casualties, stillborn babies, etc. Most of the time, people are busy living their lives rather than thinking about the meaning of it. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. What we say on the Internet says a lot about us. Jesus says that the reason He came was to give us life abundantly, to restore Gods design for our lives (John 10:10). Many feel frustrated they didnt do better or judge others who fall short. Life is like a running race as he aimed for the prize: an imperishable crown from the Lord on the judgment day (1 Corinthians 9:24-25, 2 Timothy 4:7-8). In the same way, the meaning of life can be experienced fully only when we are connected to our Father in heaven. But through his incarnation, Jesus has brought about more. He also implied that life could mean enjoying the gift of God (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13), and after all what matters in life is our reverence and obedience to God because His judgment is sure (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). Are we passionate about the most important things? Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. By practicing Christian living, we will demonstrate the values that Christ has and the love He shows. When Jesus was born, all of Jewish Palestineas well as some of the neighbouring Gentile areaswas ruled by Rome's able "friend and ally" Herod the Great. John applies the title of the Word to the person of Jesus who is the creator of all things (cf. We are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and we all have the potential to do the right thing with Gods promptings and support. Omissions? Life is intelligent, sorrowful, and full of regrets. Jesus is God himself who lived on earth in a human body (Colossians 2:9-10), and he is the only mediator between God and men (1 Timothy 2:5). I believe the second most important thing in life is my relationship with others. What does John 17:3 mean? Jesus is the Word of God made flesh and He is the only One Who makes God known - through the power of His Holy Spirit. Wild animals will say Thank you! the coyotes and the buzzards Because I provided water in the desert, rivers through the sunbaked earth, drinking water for the people I chose, the people I made especially for myself, a people custom-made to praise me. (Isaiah 43:16-21 The Message). If you look at the Instruction Manual to see if this game of life is really fair, youll find amazing hope for the future. Bigotry mars the pages of history, and its still alive and well today. Before knowing Christ, humans live an empty, sinful life. The vastness of the universe, the wonders of nature, the complexity of living organisms all testify there must be a supremely intelligent Designer, who set everything precisely in order. John 3:36 says, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." Life can be hectic and harried. The paradox of life is that the more we grope to find its meaning, the less we can grasp it. I took many notes. List the Bible verses God uses to give your life focus, purpose, and direction. This is important for every human being because God created us to have a sense of worth. Living by God's word means to recognize that God is our ultimate Provider. As a pastor, and also a chaplain for the local police department in the past, Ive gotten to be a part of some of the best and worst times of peoples lives. While there he was arrested, tried, and executed. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to . Salem Media Group. What Is the Most Widely Practiced Religion in the World? Life According to Jesus in 321 28,673 views Apr 29, 2016 Have you ever wondered what Jesus makes of the big issues: God; the World; and You?