Tag: Eternal Life

Three Witnesses to Life

“For there are three that testify, the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three are in agreement.” — 1 John 5:7-8 (NET)

God doesn’t leave us guessing about who He is or the life He offers. In His mercy, He gives us witnesses to testify to the truth of His eternal promise. These witnesses—the Spirit, the water, and the blood—all point to the fullness of life found in Him.

The Spirit is the breath of God that brings life itself. In the creation account, we see God form Adam from the dust of the earth and breathe into his nostrils the breath of life (Genesis 2:7). That same Spirit is the One who animates us today, drawing us to Christ and empowering us to live for Him. Without the Spirit, we are spiritually dead. But with Him, we experience the abundant life Jesus promised, a life filled with purpose, peace, and the very presence of God.

The water is a picture of both death and life. In baptism, we are symbolically buried with Christ, dying to our old selves, and raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). The water testifies to our transformation, declaring that we are no longer slaves to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. It is a powerful reminder that through Christ, we are made new—a life eternal replaces the death we deserved.

The blood is the essence of life itself. Leviticus tells us, “For the life of every creature is its blood” (Leviticus 17:14). Jesus’ blood, shed on the cross, is the ultimate testimony of life—offered to us at the cost of His own. Through His sacrifice, we are washed clean, forgiven, and brought into eternal communion with God. The blood doesn’t just symbolize life; it is life, poured out so that we might live forever with Him.

Each of these witnesses—Spirit, water, and blood—agree and point us to Jesus as the source of true life. They testify to His power to create, renew, and redeem. When we look at the work of the Spirit in our lives, the symbolism of water in baptism, and the power of His blood on the cross, we see a unified message: life comes from Him, through Him, and for Him.

So, as you reflect on these three witnesses, ask yourself: Are you living in the fullness of the life they proclaim? Have you surrendered to the Spirit’s leading? Have you embraced the new life symbolized in the waters of baptism? Do you rest in the saving power of His blood? Let these witnesses remind you that Jesus doesn’t offer a partial life; He offers life in abundance—life eternal.

Merry Christmas!

A Greater Priesthood

In Hebrews 7, the author pauses to unpack the story of Melchizedek, a mysterious figure from Genesis. At first glance, Melchizedek’s brief appearance as “king of Salem” and “priest of God Most High” might seem like a random historical footnote, but there’s so much more going on. The writer of Hebrews uses Melchizedek to show us something profound about Jesus and what His priesthood means for us.

Melchizedek is unique. He’s both a king and a priest—two roles that were strictly separate under the old covenant. Kings came from David’s family line, while priests descended from Aaron. But Melchizedek doesn’t fit into either category. He appears with no genealogy, no record of birth or death, and the author of Hebrews sees this as a picture of Jesus—eternal and unlike any other priest.

Here’s why this matters. In the Old Testament, priests acted as go-betweens, offering sacrifices to cover the people’s sins. But their work was temporary and incomplete. Sacrifices had to be made over and over because they could never fully deal with sin. Jesus, however, offers something better. His priesthood, like Melchizedek’s, doesn’t depend on human ancestry or temporary rules. It’s eternal. And instead of offering sacrifices repeatedly, Jesus gave Himself—once and for all—to make a way for us to be right with God forever.

The connection to Melchizedek isn’t just an interesting Bible trivia fact. It’s a reminder that Jesus’s priesthood was part of God’s plan all along. When Abraham, the father of faith, gave Melchizedek a tenth of his spoils and received his blessing, it pointed forward to something greater: a priesthood that’s not bound by human limitations. Jesus is that greater priest, and His work changes everything.

What does this mean for us? It means we have someone who represents us before God perfectly and eternally. It means we don’t need to rely on our own efforts to get right with God or wonder if we’ve done enough. Jesus’s sacrifice is enough. It’s finished. And because of Him, we can approach God with confidence, knowing we’re loved and forgiven.

It also challenges us to move beyond a rule-based faith. The old covenant—with its rituals and sacrifices—pointed toward Jesus. Now that He’s come, we’re invited into something far better: a relationship with the living God. Jesus’s priesthood means we’re not just forgiven; we’re also brought near to God, adopted into His family, and given hope that lasts forever.

The story of Melchizedek reminds us that God’s plan has always been bigger than we can imagine. It’s a plan that brings freedom, forgiveness, and peace. Let’s rest in that truth today and live with the confidence that Jesus has done it all.

You’re Gonna Have To Serve Somebody

Romans 6:15–23 confronts us with a profound truth: we all serve something or someone. As Bob Dylan famously sang, “You’re gonna have to serve somebody.” The question is not whether you’ll be a servant but what kind of master you’ll serve. Paul lays it out plainly: we are either slaves to sin, which leads to death, or slaves to righteousness, which leads to eternal life.

Sin often masquerades as freedom. It promises autonomy and the thrill of doing things “your way.” But in reality, it’s a cruel master. It gives the illusion of control while driving us toward destruction. Like a ship without a rudder, a life given over to sin doesn’t sail freely; it drifts toward the rocks. What seems like liberty in the moment chains us to habits, guilt, and the eternal consequence of separation from God.

On the other hand, serving Christ involves discipline and self-denial. This might sound unappealing at first, but consider what Paul means. Being a slave to righteousness is about rejecting the impulses of the flesh—denying sin’s hold on our lives—and living in obedience to God. It’s not an oppressive bondage; it’s a life of freedom to become who God created us to be. In Christ, discipline is not punishment but training for joy, peace, and eternal life.

Think about your daily choices. Every decision either aligns you closer with sin or with Christ. Sin leads to fleeting pleasure but lasting regret. Following Christ calls for self-denial in the moment, but the rewards are eternal: joy, peace, and the unshakable hope of life with Him. Which master are you choosing today?

Paul concludes this passage with the ultimate contrast: “For the payoff of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23, NET). Choosing to serve sin is like walking off a cliff blindfolded, believing you’re in control all the way down. Serving Christ, by contrast, is walking a narrow path that leads to life.

So, whose servant are you? Are you giving your life to a master that takes everything and leaves you empty, or to the One who gave everything to make you whole? The choice is clear, but the stakes are eternal. Don’t settle for the illusion of control—choose the freedom of life in Christ.

Death is Defeated

The resurrection chapter, 1 Corinthians 15, gives us one of the most vivid pictures of our future hope in Christ. Paul addresses the finality of death, not as something to fear, but as a defeated foe. “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55, NET). In Christ, death no longer holds power over us because the resurrection has secured eternal life. While the unknown of what lies beyond this life might still feel daunting, this passage reminds us that faith anchors us, hope sustains us, and the promise of eternal glory gives us reason to rejoice.

Faith enables us to trust in the victory Christ has already won. Paul insists that the resurrection is central to the Gospel: if Christ has been raised, so too will we be raised (1 Corinthians 15:20–22). This assurance transforms death into a transition rather than a termination. Faith gives us confidence that the God who has orchestrated all creation also holds our eternal future in His hands.

Hope turns our gaze upward. While the process of death may still cause uncertainty, Paul calls it a seed that must be planted to yield something far greater (1 Corinthians 15:36–38). The bodies we will receive in eternity will be imperishable, glorious, and powerful—utterly transformed from the weak and temporary ones we have now. Hope in this promise allows us to see death not as a loss but as the culmination of God’s redemptive work.

Finally, this hope calls us to live with purpose and joy today. Paul concludes the chapter by urging believers, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be firm. Do not be moved. Always be outstanding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58, NET). Every act of love, every word of truth, and every sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel matters. The treasures we store up in heaven are the results of living fully for Christ now, reflecting His heart and inviting others into His kingdom.

Death has been swallowed up in victory. This truth removes the sting of fear and replaces it with peace and joy. While the unknown may still intimidate us, the promises of God outweigh every uncertainty. As we walk by faith, live in hope, and act in love, we are prepared for the day when we meet Christ face-to-face, rejoicing in the eternal life He has given us.