Bible Reading: 1 John 5:11-12
Life. Merriam-Webster defines life as “the ability to grow and change.” How does the Bible define the word life in the Bible?
While we only have one word for life in English, the original language of the Bible, Greek, had three. The word bios referred to the physical body, the word psyche referred to the soul, and the word zoe referred to eternal life or new life in Christ.
While all three were used in the New Testament, the word "zoe" was the most common, like in 1 John 5:11 and 12 which say, “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” What exactly is included in zoe or “new life in Christ?”
* A motive for serving others.
* New reasons for being willing to obey God.
* A desire to act in godly ways.
* Freedom from slavery to sin.
* A genuine desire to love and care for others.
* A never-ending fellowship with God.
We all are born with bios and psyche, but in order to have zoe we need to turn control of our bios and psyche over to Jesus.
Have you done that?
“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:4
Prayer: Heavenly Father, take control of my bios and my psyche. I want zoe. In Jesus’ name. Amen.