I AM LIFE

By Rick Mathes

John 14:6 Jesus •said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.

We only have one. I remember parts of a poem I read as a kid that goes something like this: “I expect to live this life once, if therefore my fellow human beings there be a kindness I can extend or a goodness I can do, let me do it now and not defer nor neglect it for I shall not pass this way again.” My three score and ten have gone by very quickly!

I have often asked others, “What are you going to do with the rest of your life?” I usually get a blank look and a shrug of shoulders. Most spend more time planning their weekend than the next year of their life. The life that we search for is a hazy and distant afterthought to the actions of the moment of the day.

Life on planet earth is only a basic training ground for the Kingdom to come. We are earning our stripes and rank in the hereafter. The life we will be rewarded with is yet to come: the one with streets of gold.

In the meantime, we can excel and enjoy life in Him until His return and we are made complete. The life we must strive for in faith is not of this world. It’s a world of faith. Faith is at the end of your rope, just beyond your grasp, only one small step out of the boat. You will have it when you cry out, “Lord, I can’t!” At that moment of decision you will hear Him softly say, “I can.” Faith begins where you leave off and He begins.

Faith is found in life and life is found on our knees in worship of our Lord and King. Adoration of our Savior is almost extinct in most churches. Holy Ghost bumps don’t come from worship of Him but of many counterfeits that Satan can market as Christianity. How can we really come before Him to lift up His name: in words, actions, or in service?

Every cause has an effect. When we exchange our life for His, He goes about the Father’s business through us. Faithful and sacrificial service is the hallmark of a fruitful tree. It is all the result of obedience which is the result of the first cause of new birth. If you believe you will obey. It is the only way to overcome this evil worldly life. Don’t rise to your level of incompetence rather rise to His level of excellence. You can have the good life in Him if only you will release the fullness of the Holy Spirit within you.