PRINCIPLES OF THE LIFE THAT PREVAILS
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
1 John 1:1-3
IT IS NOT A CHANGED LIFE, BUT AND AN EXCHANGED LIFE.
The Life which God has given us is not a changed, improved or reformed life, but an exchanged Life. When we became born again, God exchanged our life for another Life: “Christ Life.” God’s intention was not to repair our life but to substitute it with Christ’s Life.
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3: 3
IT IS A GIFT AND NOT A REWARD.
This Life is not earned or merited by one’s work. It is gratuitously given to us without any demand or requirements placed on us. A gift is that which is freely given, while a reward is a product of effort or work.
For the wages of sin death; and the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6: 23
IT IS OBTAINED AND NOT ATTAINED.
To obtain means to take a possession of a thing or to take hold of something while to attain means to gradually arrive at a goal. This Life is not a product of a progressive process, but an instantaneous impartation. The difference between “obtain” and “attain” is time. “To obtain” is something instantaneous while “to attain” is something gradual and slow. We do not walk into this Life, we receive it by faith.
IT IS A LIFE OF EXPRESSION AND NOT OF SUPPRESSION.
God expects His children to be victorious over temptations. This victory cannot be achieved through internal suppression of urges or by strict rules and regulations. It is an expression of Life which has been obtained. When one becomes born again, Christ comes to live in his human spirit. He comes into a perfect union with Christ; his spirit becomes a habitation for Christ. Christ, who lives inside the believer, seeks to express Himself through him.
A man who is not born again can be moral but can never be holy. Holiness is the nature of Christ. If we give the indwelling Christ the chance by stepping aside, He will express His holiness through us. Holiness is not achieved through struggling or by the direct exercise of human will; it is a person: Christ.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2: 20
IT IS NEITHER AN EVENT NOR AN EXPERIENCE, HE IS A PERSON.
For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the father, and was manifested unto us.
1 John 1: 2
Christ is much bigger than an event or an experience. He is our redemption, victory, salvation, righteousness, sanctification and wisdom. He is the head of the body and we are his members. He is enough and all that we need.
