As I close out this Blogging from A to Z series, I want to encourage you to experience Zoe, which is the Greek word for “life.” It refers to both the vitality of living beings, but more importantly, it is “the uncreated, eternal life of God, the divine life uniquely possessed by God.”*
I once owned a red, VW Quantum station wagon, which I hopefully named Zoe (yes, I name all of my vehicles). I loved that car. She carried me and all of my earthly belongings from WI to FL when I was 21years old, and returned me safely home seven months later. When she finally died not long after, she had 180K miles, having served me well and lived a long life.
If we are lucky, we will also possess a long Bios life, which is our physical life (from which we get the word Biology)*. Through simplifying our lives, we may attain a healthy Psuche life, which is “the psychological life of the human soul, that is, the mind, emotion, and will” (from which we derive the word Psychology)*.
But, there is only one source of eternal- Zoe- life and that is the Triune God. Jesus said in the gospel of John: “I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.” When we receive the life that He provided through His sacrifice for us on the cross, we are given a new life. “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (NLT)
It is because of His love for us that He chose to die. “But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)” Ephesians 2:4-5 NLT
When we receive His love, the regenerative life of God that raised Jesus from the dead dwells inside of us! God’s love gives us life. And, as we abide in His love and in His Word, we are daily renewed and transformed into His likeness. This is the life I want. Do you?
There is a beautiful story in John 4 which tells of a Samaritan woman who has come to draw water from Jacob’s well.
Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.
When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
Zoe– eternal life, living water- is available to all who ask. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever (that means you and me!) believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Decluttering and simplifying are wonderful, but they do not give lasting joy. True life- Zoe– can only be found in Jesus Christ, and the joy He brings is everlasting.
If you would like to receive the gift of living water that Jesus provides, all you have to do is ask. First, acknowledge to God that you have sinned (“For, we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”) Thank Him for dying on the cross, for loving you enough to take your sins upon Himself. Believe that he rose from the dead, and invite Him into your life. Commit to knowing Him and following Him all of your days. “If you confess with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
If you followed the steps above, you have new life- Zoe life! Be sure leave a comment, letting me know, so I can celebrate with you and answer any questions you may have about your new life in Christ. God bless you!
*http://biblesforamerica.org/greek-words-for-life
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