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IS HE PRINCE OF YOUR LIFE?

The Prince of Life (Acts 3:15) describes Jesus Christ. In addition to all the reasons previously given for this descriptive phrase, today’s final installment on this subject will offer one last reason for using this term. Might I suggest that He is called the Prince of Life because that, i.e. life, was and is His grand design for all humanity?

Of His mission on earth, John wrote “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:17-18). Carefully note the first phrase in the cited verses. “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” His purpose was and is salvation, not condemnation!

Perhaps an analogy will help to see this reality. Suppose a vessel is sinking at sea and a rescue ship is sent to save those who otherwise would fall prey to the ocean’s waves. The captain of the rescue vessel fully intends to save everyone. His ship is large enough and he had the means to offload everyone to the safety of his vessel. However, in order to ensure the safety of his crew and those rescued, he makes certain demands of those who are to come aboard. At that point the choice belongs to those on the sinking vessel. They can obey and live, or refuse to heed his rules and die. Some refuse and die. Who is at fault? Any sober minded person would readily recognize that the captain’s purpose was salvation, not condemnation. Those who perish do so of their own doings, not the captain’s!

Those who see God as a God who seeks to condemn, fail to see the God of the Bible. His entire purpose in revealing the truth of the scripture was to enable mankind to escape punishment! An uncaring god would simply have allowed man to go into eternity without providing a means of escape. However, this picture of a god who scoffs at the sin-plight of man is not the God revealed in the Bible. Rather, we find a God who loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son. We see a God who loved us in spite of our sinful ways. In fact, the Son that He gave was willing to give His life for us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5.8-9).

So it was and is with the Prince of Life. He came to give life, not to take it away. He came to save, not condemn. He has requirements, but isn’t that His right just as the captain of the ship in the analogy. Of those requirements, John writes, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3).

The Prince of Life is Friend to the world, but the world refuses to receive Him. God appointed Him to honor, not dishonor. He is Prince of Life to any and all who obey Him (Matthew 7:21). What is He to you?

"'Winging It" from Stan Smith

Moralism