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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
In quest of an understanding of the phrase “the Prince of Life” as used by Peter at Acts 3:15, we looked at other “of life” expressions. These phrases included breath of life (Genesis 2:7), tree of life (Genesis 2:9), word of life (1 John 1:1-2), and bread of life (John 6:35). We now resume this review.
Human history as recorded in the Old Testament is bitter-sweet. Created in perfection, man fell through transgression. His struggles became struggles of hope. The only real source of hope lay in the promises of a Messiah revealed by the Old Testament prophets. The first four books of the New Testament are transition books where hope for redemption becomes reality. Jesus claimed to be the One promised by the prophets. He announced that He was the Bread of Life and His apostles viewed Him as the Word of Life. In His exalted position, Peter called Him the Prince of Life (Acts 3:15).
In the present tense, Paul wrote, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2). Though the tree of life was lost in the fall, the Spirit of Life became available in the redemptive work of Christ Jesus. The objective of the Spirit of Life is to rescue man from the condemnation of “the law of sin and death.
In order to rescue men from sin, the Spirit of Life had to do what man could not do for himself. God was active in the plan of salvation and its realization from the beginning of time and before. The Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world was not alone in any hour of trial. However, in order to complete His mission, there came a time when He had to be alone! In that hour, the Son of man took upon His own shoulders the spiritual weight of the universe. So perfect was His work that upon the third day, He arose victorious over death, hell, and the grave.
At the end of his life Paul wrote, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:6-8). This sure reward Paul anticipated was also central in the writings of James. “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:12).
Mankind, recipient of God’s breath of life, finds redemption through the Word of Life and in the Prince of Life. When the law of the Spirit of Life orders his steps, they lead to the Crown of Life.
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