I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10
God the Father gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, to obtain for us all abundant life. Jesus modeled the great exchange laying down His own life to receive it again. The life Jesus laid down was His soul life; the life He received and offers us all is Zoe life. Laying down our soul is counter intuitive. It means our choosing to deny our own wishes, safety, and instead trust God for His will, and salvation. This is the journey of our soul’s salvation, submission to God’s provision of Zoe life in His Son.
In other words, we are choosing first to deny ourselves by picking up our cross, instead of saving our souls. Jesus was heard in His godly fear, and accepted in His faith, that the Father was able to save Him out of death. In other words, Jesus did not save Himself. Since the fall, we carry self-preservation and so often become aware of danger and hide.
I am learning the joy of trusting the Father for His salvation in His Son, rather than feeling responsible to save myself. Yes, it is scarry at times to trust when I am afraid and want to control. But God is faithful and aware of my fear and comes to my faith in His power to resurrect life. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. My believing this is the simplest and scariest scenarios which brings me to experience His love.
I know I can’t save myself. But now, I have a way to shift from that fear to trust in the Father’s provision in His Son, and rest inside His love.
The BRANCH, Saturday, January 14th, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm – Imagine the fulness of Christ, High King and High Priest, ruling from His throne, beautiful and glorious. His very glory living in us. We, His body, are His branches spreading everywhere. This Saturday, we are stepping into this abundant life. Please come and enter in.
To watch live, click here.
All Church Lunch and Retirement Celebration for Pastor Becky Ferris, Sunday, January 15th, 11:30 am – it’s time to eat together and bless Becky.
