"Zoe" -the life of Christ

"In Him was life; and the life was the light of men." (John 1:4)

Many times I wondered about what makes Christians different from others. It's the mystery of the ''life in Christ''. 'Zoe' in N.T. Greek means ''Life'' and that reminds me of the beautiful truths about the 'life in Christ'. Let us look into the various aspects of the ''life in Christ'', asking the Holy Spirit to apply them to our personal lives.

1. ALIVE WITH CHRIST: The life in Christ begins when a person identifies himself with the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 6). In Colossians ch.3, Paul expounds the meaning of being alive with Christ.The restoration of man's broken fellowship with the living God is exhibited in a three-fold relationship,when a person dead in sins becomes alive with Christ(Eph. 2:1) -the renewed relationship with God seen through the renewed relationship with others(VS 8-16) that in turn puts renewed responsibilities towards one another (VS 17-23). That's the beginning.

2. ABIDE IN CHRIST : As part of his final exhortation, Lord Jesus emphasized the importance of continuing in the faith in John Ch. 15. The Lord promised blessings to those who abide in HIM. They are : fruit bearing, (15:4,5);Love for one another (15:9,12), and enduring suffering for His sake (15:19,20). Abiding in Christ also demands obedience to His word - His words abiding in us (15:7), that produce lasting fruit which bring glory to God and thus prove us to be His disciples. The spontaneous outgoing love is the divine sacrificial love (Rom 5:10). Those who walk with Christ also share in the fellowship of His sufferings.

3.AVAILABLE FOR CHRIST: In I Cor. 10:22,23, Paul testifies saying, he has become all things to all men in order to save some.However, God used Paul not because of his ability to win men to Christ but only because he was available for Him. A three-fold change in Paul's llfe qalified him to be useful for the Master-his purpose of life was changed, his perspective on life was changed, and his personality was changed. Paul's vision of Christ opened his spiritual eyes to have a different estimation of the value of life (Phi1.3:5-10). His personality too was totally transformed.That's how, the more a person allows God to change him, the more useful will he become to the Lord (11 Ti 2:20-21).

4.ACCOUNTABLE T0 CHRIST: ''For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due to him....'' (11 Cor.5:10). Yes, those who live in Christ are accountable to Him - for they are not their own,they are bought with His own precious blood (1 Cor.6:20).Everyone has to give an account of himself to God individually and proportionately(Rom.14:12,Lk.12:20,48)Jude 24.

5.AFFLICTIONS & AWAITING GLORY : ''And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (11 Ti 3:12). Surely the Life in Christ is not complete without afflictions. The times of adversity, sorrow, pain, grief and trouble come in one or the other forms as persecution (Mt 5:11), hatred (Mt 10:22), Despised (Lk 10:16), suffering (Phil.1:29) & death (Rev 6:9) etc. But the God of all comfort promises to preserve His people in afflictions. (11 Cor 1:3-7; Is 41:10) So pray (Ja 5:13) and trust God.

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." 2 Corinthians 4:17.
"But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while,make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." 1 Peter 5:10. Amen!