“This is how God showed His love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.” 1 John 4:9

Jesus Christ came so that we might live with and through Him today, tomorrow, and into all of eternity. Yet most Christians would stop at the “with,” and say that Jesus only came so that we might be forgiven, avoid Hell, and ultimately go to Heaven when we die. This idea isn’t false, but it’s just the surface.

Scripture says that no one can take away our salvation once we have accepted Jesus Christ into our lives (John 10:27-29). He came long before we were ever born, and all we have to do is believe, confess, and accept Him into our lives. This idea is very prescriptive. Just like a doctor who prescribes medicine when we are sick, Jesus Christ came to Earth to heal us from our own sinful and broken nature. Yet He did it with a greater purpose in mind!

You see, accepting Jesus Christ into your life isn’t just a ticket to Heaven. It takes intentionality. It takes you deciding that every day you are going to live IN the promises and guidance of Jesus Christ. It is living in an intimate relationship with and through Him.

When people look at a believers life, Jesus doesn’t want them to say, “Oh wow, they look like they’re going to Heaven when they die!” or “Look at that, they aren’t destined for Hell today!” No, Jesus wants them to say, “I see something different in them. They aren’t the same as they were yesterday.” He wants people to say, “I see Jesus Christ in them!”

Jesus also came so that we might live through Him, so that more people might come to know Him. It’s not just about a ticket to Heaven or Hell, but about living, knowing, and reflecting His light to the world around us.

This week, let’s press in and ask God to reveal how we can better live through Him, and reveal His light to the world around us.