Life at its best!
By Paul Bawden
“I have come that they might have life and have it in surplus.”
Famous words from the first century Rabbi. Words that we need to hear today as we watch the different happenings in the USA and around the world.
For what we see taking place is selfishness, pride, and the killing of individuals – no respect and value of human life. In fact, we see the other side of what the Rabbi said, “The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10). What a stark contrast here between the Rabbi’s kind of life and that which describes the thief’s destruction and deadly action.
We see in the recent March for Life in downtown Washington, D.C., the crowd cheering for Life and signs with messages including “I am the pro-life generation” and “Save the baby humans.” They certainly were expressing their value of God’s physical life while others would be totally against their action.
In Minneapolis we see those demonstrating, marching against ICE, trying to obstruct their apprehension of those in our country illegally who have broken the law in some way. In that environment, sadly, two individuals lost their lives, which is still being investigated. We need to pray for the families who have lost loved ones.
The war between Ukraine and Russia continues with individuals losing their lives with the destruction of property. In Iran, the uprising of those who would like their freedom experiencing brutal killings. In the Middle East, peace is still illusive, as a Board of Peace is formed and trying to move forward. Antisemitism keeps flourishing in our world.
It’s clear in the above happenings, the Rabbi’s kind of life is desperately needed in the USA and around the world. What kind of life does the Rabbi offer us? Such is not accepted by many, but that doesn’t take away the reality of the kind of life the Rabbi has to give us.
The Rabbi’s life is resurrection life – that’s why it’s called life in surplus. If there is no resurrection life, man’s life will continue to be lived in a box displaying his depravity in different ways. He is born, grows to adulthood, lives on planet earth, and then dies. That’s it! Humanity needs another type of life, or life is only eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die. No life beyond the grave.
Resurrection life is really eternal life, which the Rabbi won for us through His death, burial, and bodily resurrection. It’s life that has no beginning and no end. Resurrection life is unique with no rival. It works best in a cemetery. Resurrection life is irresistible – it can’t be thwarted or turned aside. There is nothing like it in the universe. Resurrection life brings a supernatural change in the person who encounters the Rabbi by faith.
The believer receives God’s forgiveness of his sins. Life without value has infinite value. Pride is turned into humility, hatred into love and forgiveness, jealously into acceptance, immorality replaced with morality, disagreements into working for unity, no purpose in life to having an eternal purpose – glorifying God in all things. No hope to a hope of being in eternity with the Rabbi after this life.
What a change would be brought to individual lives, in families, in our local, state, and national leaders, yes, the USA and the world, if the Rabbi would be encountered by faith. Have you encountered Him? If so, live out His resurrection life in you as you depend on Him. Resurrection life is LIFE at its best!!
Paul Bawden is married and served in the full-time pastoral ministry for 45 years, retiring in 2011, after which he and his wife served in four interims, three in Wisconsin and one in Iowa. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.A. in Speech and attended Dallas Theological Seminary, receiving a Master of Theology. He has taken counseling courses at Trinity Evangelical Seminary in Deerfield, Illinois. Paul is a lifetime member of the Evangelical Free Church of America, as well as being a member of Interim Pastor Ministries (IPM), which serves churches during their time of transition in searching for a new pastor. He is also a volunteer writer for GotQuestions.org. Paul likes to write, read, and work in the yard. The Bawdens have had the privilege to travel to Mexico and Romania on mission trips and visited various countries in Europe. They have three daughters and five grandchildren.
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