The apostle Paul writes in 2 Timothy that his ministry is according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus. We often view a promise as an assurance of a future expectation. There are several words for life in the Greek language. The word that is used in this passage is a fairly common word referring to “the absolute fullness of life . . . which belongs to God” (Thayer). It’s the same word used by Jesus when He declared “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Are you experiencing the promise of life in Christ Jesus?
Sadly Thoreau was correct when he wrote, "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” But God wants you to experience fullness of life! God tells Moses in Deuteronomy, “So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days.” Moses tells us what to do and the writer of Hebrews tells us how to do it, “so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12). Augustine enjoins us to “live a life worth remembering.”
You may be wondering when “Will I experience this type of life?” It’s already here in the person of Jesus, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). Realize that God’s promises are like the stars, the darker it gets the brighter the stars become. Don’t settle for less than God’s plan for your life but through faith and patience may you realize the promise of life in Christ Jesus!
December 13, 2010 at 9:20 pm
May my desperation for Him alone be! Thank you for such an encouraging post!