God is Life

John 5:26 – “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.”

God has life in Himself. His life is not derived from any other source. He is self-existent and self-sustained. He was in the beginning when there was none else. He is the Source of life and the Giver of life. God created animal life, aquatic life, and plant life. When the first man was formed, God “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7). Our physical life is a gift from God. Life is found in Him. To the grieving family of Lazarus, Jesus referred to Himself as the “resurrection, and the life” (John 11:25). He then raised Lazarus from the dead. When Hezekiah was sick unto death, God added fifteen years to his life. Only God, Who is life, could raise people from the dead or extend a life by an act of His will. About giving His own life, Jesus said, “I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father” (John 10:17, 18).

Not only does God give physical life; He also is the source of spiritual life. Adam was told that if he ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he would die. Disobedience cannot bring life, but rather death. Adam chose to disobey God, and immediately he experienced spiritual death. He continued to live physically, but not spiritually. That death passed upon all men. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Only God can restore spiritual life. Religion alone cannot give life. When a person turns from his sin and trusts Christ as Savior, God instantly gives him spiritual life. This life is everlasting. There is no spiritual life outside of Jesus Christ. He is the Giver of life – physical, spiritual, and eternal.

The most fulfilling life is found in Jesus Christ. The life He gives is measured both in quantity and quality. This gift of life has no end – either in its duration or in its fulfillment. Our world is filled with people searching for meaning and purpose in the wrong places. Our message is clear and simple. Life is found in Jesus.