Chapter 43—Christ the Life-giver
[
This article appeared in
The Signs of the Times, April 8, 1897
.]
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All
things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made
that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And
the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not”
(
John 1:1-5
). The world did not see divinity in the humble Man of
Nazareth. The only-begotten Son of the infinite God was in the world,
and men knew Him not in His true character.
“In him was life; and the life was the light of men” (
John 1:4
).
It is not physical life that is here specified, but immortality, the life
which is exclusively the property of God. The Word, who was with
God, and who was God, had this life. Physical life is something which
each individual receives. It is not eternal or immortal; for God, the
Life-giver, takes it again. Man has no control over his life. But the
life of Christ was unborrowed. No one can take this life from Him.
“I lay it down of myself” (
John 10:18
), He said. In Him was life,
original, unborrowed, underived. This life is not inherent in man. He
can possess it only through Christ. He cannot earn it; it is given him
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as a free gift if he will believe in Christ as His personal Saviour. “This
is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus
Christ, whom thou hast sent” (
John 17:3
). This is the open fountain of
life for the world.
Giving his charge to Timothy, Paul says, “But thou, O man of
God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith,
love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on
eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good
profession before many witnesses. I give thee charge in the sight of
God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before
Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; that thou keep this com-
mandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord
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