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Christ Brings Meaning To L.I.F.E.
Christ Brings Meaning To L-I-F-E
In John 10:10, Jesus is recorded as saying, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” What is life? Life is an acronym meaning love, instruction, freedom, and eternity. We cannot know how to love without Christ showing us how to love. We do not know which way to go or what to do in this life without Christ living and telling us God’s instructions. We would still be enslaved to sin, if it were not for Christ informing us of the reality of our condition before God and setting us free with His truth. Eternity with God would simply be a myth without Christ showing us the way to obtain it. Life would have no meaning without Christ. Christ brings meaning to our lives, for this is the reason why He came.
The “L” In LIFE Stands For “Love”
Loving through Jesus Christ is what brings meaning to life. In 1 John 4:11, the Bible reads, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” Life has little meaning to some because they possess so little love. Christ loved us and died for us, paying the penalty for our sins (Matthew 20:28). When Christ is Lord of our life, He should be the love of our life also. In Matthew 28:19, the Bible reads, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Christ’s love brings meaning to our life. His love must reach out through us to help, comfort, and share Christ with others.
The “I” In LIFE Stands For “Instruction”
Learning from Christ is what brings meaning to life. In Psalms 32:8, the Bible reads, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go: I will guide you with My eye.” When we are forgiven, cleansed, and filled with the love of Christ, we have just begun to live. We still have much to learn. Without Christ’s instructions, we will continue to face frustrations and many failures. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, the Bible reads, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” We must depend on Christ and His word for guidance and direction. He will help us through frustration and will bring victory and meaning to life as we keep on praying, learning from His word, trusting, and obeying Him.
The “F” In LIFE Stands For “Freedom”
Liberty in Christ is what brings meaning to life. In Galatians 5:1, the Bible reads, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Sinful pleasures, social pressures, and sensual practices bind many. So many individuals are in bondage to themselves, others, but most importantly, Satan. However, Jesus tells us in John 8:32, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Christ came to bring freedom from the bondage of sin. He breaks the shackles that bind and sets free all who come to Him in faith and obedience to His gospel (Romans 1:16). In John 8:36, the Bible reads, “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” Christians are liberated and their lives become meaningful. When one’s sins are forgiven, one’s heart is cleansed. One is free to help others find their way to heaven.
The “E” In LIFE Stands For “Eternal Life”
Living with Christ is what brings meaning to life. In 1 John 5:11, the Bible reads, “And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” Everyone wants to live. However, only those who have received Christ as Savior and Lord through obedience will live eternally with Him. Life here on earth is brief at best. We should make the most of it. This life can have real meaning only if we are prepared for the next life. In John 14:1-3, the Bible reads, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” Christians look forward with anticipation to living forever with Christ. He has gone to prepare a place for them. He has promised to return and receive them unto Himself.
So many Christians believe Christ came only to provide eternal rest for the spiritually weary, but He came to do so much more than this. He came so we can live the abundant life right now. The abundant life does not suggest we have a life of riches, fame, and fortune, but it does mean we can enjoy life right now. However, this can only take place if Christ is the priority in our lives, for He is the only one who can bring such meaning to it. If it appears your life has no meaning at this time, then you must include Christ in your life by putting Him first today (Matthew 6:33).
Some may be wondering at this time, “How do I fill this void in my life? I believe there is something missing in my life.” Well, Christ is the only one who can fill that void. Jesus is the only one who can eradicate the emptiness inside your soul. The Bible teaches us in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” God already loves you. So, why not accept His love and make Him Lord of your life today. The Bible teaches in Jeremiah 10:23-24, “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. O Lord, correct me, but with justice; Not in Your anger, lest You bring me to nothing.” The word of God makes it abundantly clear it is not in us to direct our own steps. Therefore, we need Christ’s guidance to teach us and direct our steps in His word. If you embrace His instruction, then Christ can bring meaning to your life. In Luke 4:16-21, the Bible reads, “So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.’ Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, ‘Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.’” Without Christ, we are no more than oppressed captives. This makes life miserable, but with Christ, we become spiritually rich and can live a fulfilling, meaningful life. Christ brings meaning to our lives because He alone makes salvation possible through Him. In 2 Timothy 2:10, the Bible reads, “Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” Without Christ, there is no salvation and it is the hope of eternal life with Christ that makes life worth living. Allow Christ to bring meaning to your life before it is eternally and everlasting too late!
