I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:9-11)
Now this is eternal life: That they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John 17:3)
“Ah, this is the life!” What would lead you to say that? In general, the answer is probably “More and less.” More time, more money, more muscles (or at least fitness,) more of everything we like (or think we would like.) Less of everything we don’t like: bills, stress, job responsibilities, cleaning, fat, limitations.
Jesus said He came that we may have life…to the full. A full life isn’t short. A hundred years is not a full life, not to God. A full life is full of time. It’s eternal. More importantly, a full life is full of love, which means it’s full of God and of the things God loves. Most of those: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; blessedness, generosity, nobility, honor… they are all anti-fragile things. They grow or they die through testing, trial, tribulation, and opposition. That’s why they must exist in life, not so that God can see what we’re made of and whether or not we’ll obey, but because otherwise we must weaken and die.
Returning to what was said yesterday about judgment and diagnosis, this is why there must also be judgment. If a person is dead, there’s no use in their being in Heaven. Only the living can enjoy that place, and therefore only the living will. And He came to provide that life.
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