Message Four

By Dr. Michael Guido, D.D.

John 1:4

In days of old it was a common thing to see inscriptions on the houses of England. On one house there was found this inscription: "You would weep if you knew that your life was limited to one month; yet you laugh when you know not that it may be limited to one day." But should your life be limited to one minute then hear this: "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."
The Gospel of John begins with life and it ends with life. In the beginning it's written, "In Him was life;" and at the end it's written, "These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name." In between these two verses the word "life" is used more than 35 times in 21 chapters, and the words "to live" or "to have life" more than 15 times.

Let's consider the significance. Life as used in the Bible denotes that which is physical or natural, that is, mere animal life. It refers to man's bodily life upon this earth. This form of life is propagated by human generation, and it's subject to physical death. Cried a millionaire, as he was dying, "All that I have I'll gladly give for 5 more minutes of life!" How precious life is! Treasure and talents, position and prestige, fame or fortune are of value only while life lasts. All is lost when death comes. But life, as it involves the whole man, is endless in every human being, saved or unsaved. For the saved it involves living with the Lord in the Father's house. For the unsaved it involves living with the lost in the lake of fire. Both are endless. For the saved it's eternal enjoyment. For the unsaved it's endless existence. We looked at physical life, now let's look at eternal life. It's not merely a life that lasts for ever. Such a life could be a curse, if you're corrupt and cruel. It could be tragic, if you're transgressing and you're in trouble. In eternal life there's more than that which is durable; there's that which is desirable. It's a life that's enjoyable as well as everlasting; a life of forgiveness of sins here and freedom from sins hereafter. It's a life of happiness here and heaven hereafter, where there's no disease or death, no tear or trouble, no sorrow or sin. A Christian lady was about to go home to heaven and was visited by her brother who lived a great distance away. "I'll not see you again," he said with tears, "in the land of the living." "Brother," she answered, "I trust we shall meet in the land of the living. We're now in the land of the dying."

Let's consider the source. Man can take life, but he can't give life. All life, physical and eternal, is in the Lord. "But," you say, "I have physical life, however I don't have eternal life. How can eternal life be mine?" By receiving the Lord. It's not by your baptism or behaviour, nor is it by your church membership or communion. It's only in Christ. The Bible says, "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."

Let's consider the splendor. The Bible says, "In Him was life; and the life was the light of men." All true life is luminous. But the light that comes from the Lord is pure. Just as light passes through that which is poisonous without contracting or carrying any poison with it, so did our Lord. He came in contact with sin and sinners, but His life was as stainless when He died as it was when He was born. And He'll cleanse your life when you come to Him, and He'll keep you clean. The light which comes from the Lord is powerful. When darkness lay upon the face of the deep, the Lord said, "Let there be light, and there was light." Without the Lord your life is one of chaos and confusion, darkness and despair. But when you receive Christ He'll put to flight your darkness and despair, and you'll have pardon and peace. The light which comes from the Lord prevails. The Bible says, "The light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." The light of the Lord shines sufficiently for the salvation of all sinners, but not all accept it. Some prefer to live without the Lord, so they live in darkness and they die in darkness. Such was the case with a young lawyer. On the day he was admitted to the bar he became ill. His father came to see him one bright day, and as he entered the room he said, "Father, it's so dark. A storm must be coming." And with those words he passed out into the darkness without hope. Don't live or die without the Lord! Come to Him and you'll enjoy His life and light!

copyright 2000 Guido Evangelistic Association

All Scripture verses are quoted from the New King James Version.

This series of messages on the books of the Bible were originally written for broadcast on Dr. Guido's radio program, "The Sower." They are collected and reprinted here for your enjoyment and spiritual edification. Go to the Sower's site for more at www.TheSower.com.