living it up?
"Yes, God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him may not die but may have eternal life." —John 3:16
Those who believe in Jesus have eternal life (see also Jn 20:31). Jesus came that we may have life and have it to the full (Jn 10:10). Jesus is the Life (Jn 11:25; 14:6), and He gives life (Jn 5:21). The angel who freed the apostles from prison told them: "Preach to the people all about this new life" (Acts 5:20).
This full eternal life is the life of heaven which Christians begin to experience on earth. This life is characterized by publicly witnessing for Jesus and by preaching and teaching (Acts 5:20-21). In the risen life, we are powerful enough to be a threat to the powers that be. We are worthy of being persecuted, even arrested. However, God also gives us an angel to free us from prison.
In summary, life in Christ is eternal, full, and new. It is serving God. It is a life of love (Jn 15:10), faith (Gal 2:20), and obedience (1 Pt 1:2). It is being served by angels. The Christian life is so real and full that any other existence seems wasted (see 1 Pt 4:2-3), a half-life, or even a living death (1 Jn 3:14). Man is fully alive only in Jesus. Christ is the Life (Jn 14:6), and life should be Christ (Phil 1:21). Begin to live. Live for Jesus always. Live with Jesus forever.
Prayer: Father, I will proclaim what I have seen and heard so that others may share life with us (1 Jn 1:3).
Promise: "Glorify the Lord with me, let us together extol His name." —Ps 34:4
Praise: John and Kevin both had vasectomies. Jesus changed their hearts and gently showed them how they were blocking His gift of life. They repented and had their vasectomies successfully reversed.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, November 9, 1996
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, November 15, 1996