is an expression familiar to all languages, and one that we've all probably made at one time or another. It's one that comes to mind when we take a break from our daily responsibilities and troubles and enjoy a quiet vacation at home or a weekend at the mountains or a vacation at the seashore. These moments of peace and solace, when everything seems right, fulfill our ideas of "the life." But is it really life?
Satan, "Who deceiveth the whole world" (Revelation 12:9), has always influenced the hearts and minds of men, women and children all around the world. Ease of life and physical comforts often rob our minds of spiritual realities, and cause us to think "this is the life," when God says we are actually "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1).
It is everyone's goal to have a "better life." We look for easier work, more security, more comforts and more ways to "enjoy life." However, this idea of seeking a "better life" without God is futile and potentially disastrous. God has said, "For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away" (James 4:14). The promise of a "better life" is the bait used by Satan to lure people into a life of complacency and ease.
However, God in His goodness has revealed what true life is. His Word clearly states "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life" (John 3:36), and "This life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life" (1 John 5:11,12).
Reader, if you do not have this true life, the life that is obtainedthrough faith in Christ Jesus, you have no life at all. No matter what possessions or comforts you may enjoy now, when it comes right down to it, you are dead--spiritually dead. You are doomed to spend an eternity apart from God in the lake of fire. These are the facts concerning your condition. But God, in His Word, sets forth the remedy--"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
How do you get this everlasting life? Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life" (John 5:24). "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
Dear reader, the choice is yours. Which will it be? Will it be the empty promises for "the life" as men and Satan promise but are unable to fulfill? Or will it be the sure promises of God "who cannot lie" (Titus 1:2)? The invitation and promise from Jesus is, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). He says, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Me" (John 14:6).
This then is the life, found alone in Christ Jesus, God's Son. Will you have Him and thus have life? To reject Him is to seal your doom for eternity, and deny yourself the blessing of peace and joy and real life and rest even now in time.
"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life" (1 John 5:13).
