Spirit-Powered Life

Many people describe the Christian life as heavy and difficult, as though following Christ is mostly about rules to follow, commandments to obey, and constant striving. Yet this is not the heart of the gospel Jesus came to proclaim. Christianity is not merely about trying harder for God, but about receiving life from God through His Son. John writes: "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (John 20:31). Jesus came not simply to improve our behavior, but to awaken true life within us. The Christian walk begins with receiving Christ Himself. The apostle John continues: "God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life" (1 John 5:11-12). Eternal life is not only life after death; it is the very life of God flowing into the human heart through Christ – His peace, love, joy, wisdom, forgiveness, faith, hope, and rest. Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10). When our faith feels dry, empty, or exhausting, the answer is not more striving, but deeper abiding in Him. The missing ingredient is not greater effort, but Christ living within us through His Spirit. (Nicky B). Open Bible – bit.ly/Joh20v31, bit.ly/1jo5v11-12, bit.ly/joh10v10