In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
All things were created through Him,
and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created.In Him was LIFE,
John 1:1-5
and that LIFE was the light of men.
That light shines in the darkness,
and yet the darkness did not overcome it.
There is something special about that word: LIFE.
John captures Jesus using the term several times throughout his Gospel:
- John 10:10 — A thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come so that they may have LIFE and have it in abundance.
- John 11:25 — I am the resurrection and the LIFE
- John 14:6 — I am the way, the truth, and the LIFE. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
In Matthew’s Gospel, during His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells His followers they are the “salt of the earth.” What an incredible metaphor, especially when you consider one of the main functions of salt: it adds flavor and enhances the taste of food. That’s what Jesus does for our lives – eternally and abundantly. And that’s what OUR lives should do for
those around us.
I know I’ve said this before… too many people believe Christianity and the Bible to be a bunch of “don’ts” when the truth is, there’s so much to DO. And if we spent our time doing the DO’S, we wouldn’t have time to do the don’ts. We would be experiencing the fullness of life that Jesus we were created to have – in relationship with Him!
This coming January, as we continue to follow the Holy Spirit’s leadership toward a greater emphasis on developing a culture of disciple -making here at FBI, you will hear us using the phrase LIFE Groups more and more.
It’s why He came. It’s why we gather together.
It’s what we discover when we open His Word.
It’s what we experience when the Holy Spirit moves in our midst.
It’s not always easy. But it’s always worthwhile.