This is a quick intro. I've used the words exhort and exhortation before on this blog, but I realized that a year ago I didn't know what the word exhortation meant, so I figured it would be beneficial for me to define it for those who, like me, didn't know what it means.
The dictionary.com definition for exhortation was "the act or process of exhorting" (very helpful, right?). Here's one of the definitions for exhort: "To give urgent advice, recommendations, or warnings."
And one of the Blue Letter Bible definitions is: "Persuasive discourse, stirring address- instructive, admonitory, conciliatory, powerful hortatory discourse." One brother explained it as saying "stop doing this and start doing this."
So, now that I've explained that, I'm sure you're super excited to hear what is coming next. In case you haven't caught on, it's an exhortation. I don't know how persuasive or stirring it will be, but it will certainly be very hortatory (whatever that means).
The main thing I want to get across is that JESUS CHRIST = LIFE. Speaking of Jesus, John wrote, "In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men" (John 1:4). Jesus said of Himself, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6). Jesus said, "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:9-10).
It is not just that Jesus is your ticket to eternal life. HE IS YOUR LIFE. Here and now. Paul says in Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." I could go on and on listing verses about Jesus Christ being our life, but I think I've sufficiently backed up this concept.
So, here's my urgent advice: examine yourself. Ask yourself honestly, "Is Jesus Christ my life? Is He my source?" This sounds strong, but it's true: if there is a part of you that says "no," do not tell it, "That's silly, I've gone to church for this many years or I read my Bible every day or I lead a Sunday school class" or anything else, because Jesus said, "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?" (Matthew 7:22). Or perhaps some will say, "Lord, Lord, did we not teach Sunday school in Your name? Was I not a youth pastor in Your name? Did I not read the Bible in Your name? Did I not lead people to Christ in Your name?" And to some He will say, "I have not known you."
Jesus is not an addition to your life to make it better. He does not add on to what you already have, make you a better person. He makes you new. He puts His Spirit within you. He puts His life within you. It's not about what you do for God. It is a matter of LIFE or DEATH. It's not about being a busy church-goer. It's not about how many Bible studies you've done. If His Spirit is not in you, you are not His.
"The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes" (1 John 2:10-11). God is love, and if God lives in you, you will love people. Look back at 1 Corinthians 13 for a refresher on what true, godly love is. Patient, kind, doesn't keep a record of wrong... This is truly a supernatural love, a love our flesh cannot muster up. Do you see that love in yourself?
This is not to say those in whom Christ dwells will be perfect all the time. We still have a flesh to deal with. But it's a good idea to ask the Lord, "Where is my source? What am I drawing life from? Day by day, am I abiding in Christ?" It is only when you abide in Christ, remain in and with Him, stay close to Him day by day, that you will be drawing true life from the true Vine.
Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well that if she asked He would give to her "living water" of which she could drink and never thirst again and this living water would become to her "a well of water springing up to eternal life" (John 4:7-14). I exhort you, if you feel the Lord calling you, if you are convicted that the life of God is not in you, if you have strayed from living by the Spirit, stop making excuses, stop putting off coming to Jesus, simply ask Jesus for living water. He will certainly give it to you, and you will truly experience what Paul means when he says, "To live is Christ."
It is not just that Jesus is your ticket to eternal life. HE IS YOUR LIFE. Here and now. Paul says in Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." I could go on and on listing verses about Jesus Christ being our life, but I think I've sufficiently backed up this concept.
So, here's my urgent advice: examine yourself. Ask yourself honestly, "Is Jesus Christ my life? Is He my source?" This sounds strong, but it's true: if there is a part of you that says "no," do not tell it, "That's silly, I've gone to church for this many years or I read my Bible every day or I lead a Sunday school class" or anything else, because Jesus said, "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?" (Matthew 7:22). Or perhaps some will say, "Lord, Lord, did we not teach Sunday school in Your name? Was I not a youth pastor in Your name? Did I not read the Bible in Your name? Did I not lead people to Christ in Your name?" And to some He will say, "I have not known you."
Jesus is not an addition to your life to make it better. He does not add on to what you already have, make you a better person. He makes you new. He puts His Spirit within you. He puts His life within you. It's not about what you do for God. It is a matter of LIFE or DEATH. It's not about being a busy church-goer. It's not about how many Bible studies you've done. If His Spirit is not in you, you are not His.
"The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes" (1 John 2:10-11). God is love, and if God lives in you, you will love people. Look back at 1 Corinthians 13 for a refresher on what true, godly love is. Patient, kind, doesn't keep a record of wrong... This is truly a supernatural love, a love our flesh cannot muster up. Do you see that love in yourself?
This is not to say those in whom Christ dwells will be perfect all the time. We still have a flesh to deal with. But it's a good idea to ask the Lord, "Where is my source? What am I drawing life from? Day by day, am I abiding in Christ?" It is only when you abide in Christ, remain in and with Him, stay close to Him day by day, that you will be drawing true life from the true Vine.
Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well that if she asked He would give to her "living water" of which she could drink and never thirst again and this living water would become to her "a well of water springing up to eternal life" (John 4:7-14). I exhort you, if you feel the Lord calling you, if you are convicted that the life of God is not in you, if you have strayed from living by the Spirit, stop making excuses, stop putting off coming to Jesus, simply ask Jesus for living water. He will certainly give it to you, and you will truly experience what Paul means when he says, "To live is Christ."
Christ is our life, HERE AND NOW! Amen!
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