John 6:60-64: “Many of His disciples said, ‘This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?’ Jesus was aware that His disciples were complaining, so He said to them, ‘Does this offend you? Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But some of you do not believe Me.’ (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and He knew who would betray Him.)”
I can look back to when our three sons were attending primary school and elementary school and remember that, as young parents, Debbie and I were stretched many times to accomplish all that was required to see that their needs were provided for. Debbie was the president of the P.T.A. (Parent-Teacher Association), and I helped her fulfill the duties that her role required. We held many fundraisers and special events for the children; so I can empathize with those of you who are raising a young family and juggling a career—it makes life very demanding.
Even though we sometimes lead very busy lives, and we can find some fulfillment in that, there is far more to life than having a good time or watching our children grow up and become blessed young men and/or women. If we’re not careful, as adults, we can live in the strength and knowledge of our soul—which includes the mind, will, and emotions—and we will bankrupt our lives, because we have forgotten the Source of life.
In today’s Scripture, Jesus tells us that His Words are spirit and they are life. In order to fully enjoy, and sometimes just endure life, we must tap into the life-giving power that is contained in the Word of God through our faith in Jesus Christ. There’s only one small obstacle that humans must overcome in order to be able to receive life from what Jesus has said. Here is the obstacle: After Jesus told His disciples that His words were spirit, and they were truth, He went on to say that there were some people who were present that day that didn’t believe. You see, without faith, we can’t come into agreement with the Lord and access the power that is needed to live a spiritually victorious life in the natural, earthly, realm.
Let’s take this discussion a step deeper. Before God created man, He made the statement, “Let us create man in our image and according to our likeness.” We know that God is Spirit, because the Word tells us this many times. Here’s the dilemma: Paul tells us, in Romans, that the law of God is spiritual, and we are carnal (Soulish). He also writes, in 1 Corinthians 15, that the first Adam was a living SOUL, but the Last Adam, Jesus is a life-giving SPIRIT. So you can see that, even though we were created in the image of God, we weren’t created spirit beings. This simply means that humans have the breath of life, but not the Spirit of Life dwelling in us. So when we place faith in God’s Word and in Jesus Christ as His Son, He gives us the Spirit of life so that we are able to live beyond this life (into eternal life).
So, while you’re dropping off your children at school or practice, taking the family dog to the veterinarian or groomer, and delivering your clothes to be dry cleaned for the next work week don’t forget to get into the Word and read what Jesus has to say about eternal life. You might be thinking, “Well I’m saved, and I already know all there is about eternal life.” That’s fair, but did you know that you also need the Word of God to live a victorious life while you still exist in the natural realm? It’s time we look at the Bible as a “RIGHT NOW” Word instead of a “SOME DAY” Word. The Just are SAVED by faith, but we must also LIVE by FAITH.
Through modern technology, you can take the Word of God with you and read it while you’re waiting on your children, the groomer, and the cleaners. You don’t have to run off of battery (soul) power alone, you can live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Put something super into your natural experience today and spring into action against the enemy of your soul through God’s inspired Word. —submitted by Asa Dockery, US