What does "lives because of Me" mean for believers' daily lives? Setting the Stage “Just as the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on Me will live because of Me.” (John 6:57) Unpacking “Live Because of Me” • Jesus links our life to Him the same way His earthly life was linked to the Father. • “Feeds on Me” points to continual, moment-by-moment dependence, not a one-time decision. • The promise is both present and future: genuine spiritual vitality now, eternal life forever (John 6:54). How This Shapes Daily Dependence • Life’s source: Christ, not self-effort (John 15:5). • Sustenance: His Word is our daily bread (Matthew 4:4). • Strength: His indwelling Spirit empowers obedience (Romans 8:11). • Security: Our identity is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3-4). Practical Rhythms That Flow from Living Because of Him 1. Scripture Intake – Schedule unhurried time to “feed” on the Word. – Read expectantly; Christ’s voice animates every verse (Luke 24:27). 2. Dependent Prayer – Prayer moves from ritual to lifeline, acknowledging, “Apart from You I can do nothing” (John 15:5). 3. Obedience by Faith – Commands become invitations to experience His life in us (1 John 5:3-4). 4. Fellowship with Believers – Sharing in the body of Christ multiplies His life among us (Hebrews 10:24-25). 5. Witness That Overflows – As His life sustains us, it naturally spills into conversations, service, and compassion (2 Corinthians 5:14). What Changes When We Really Believe This • Anxiety fades—our life is upheld by His sufficiency (Philippians 4:6-7). • Purpose clarifies—every task becomes an arena to display His life (Colossians 3:17). • Endurance grows—suffering is reframed by the certainty of resurrection life (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). • Holiness deepens—sin loses appeal when Christ’s fullness satisfies (John 10:10). Living Because of Him in Ordinary Moments • In conversation: rely on His wisdom before speaking (James 1:19). • At work: serve “not as pleasers of men, but as servants of Christ” (Ephesians 6:6). • In temptation: declare, “I have been crucified with Christ … Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). • In rest: trust He sustains the universe—and your to-do list—while you sleep (Psalm 127:2). Assurance for the Journey Jesus never withholds life from those who come. “Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.” (John 6:35) Because He lives, we live—today, tomorrow, and forever. |
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