You Just Can’t Live Without It

We’re driving home from Bryson’s wall climbing sport. It’s his absolute love. He is making climbs that the adults have trouble with. I witnessed them trying, but, then again, this Nana is super-partial. I’m amazed by how skilled he is compared to the last time I was here. He’s telling me jokes. “Did you hear about the new Apple car? It’s great but they’re having trouble with its “Windows”.” And, I remind him of the riddle he told me a couple of years ago. We were sitting on their patio and the rain was pouring down. He started talking about a tsunami. Then he asks me “ What is it that we can’t live without, but it can still kill you?” I didn’t know. The answer? Water. So, Bryson says, “Wonder what it feels like to be drowning?” I respond: “Well, have you ever been in water and you couldn’t get your breath?” Bryson says. “Oh, yes. Brothers. It’s called brothers.”

This kid cracks me up! But, his analogy and riddle gave me “food” for thought! Oh, FOOD – something else we can’t live without for more than 4-6 weeks – depending on the weight and health of the person! We can’t live without air for more than 3 minutes. Some people can’t live long without certain medicines or medical care. Some can’t live long without financial support of others because they are either physically or mentally disabled. The point being, there are more than a few things in life we can’t live without, but there is one thing that supersedes them all, and that is God and His Word. (2 Timothy 3:16,17)

Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4). Yes, we can’t live physically without the necessities of life here on planet earth: air, water and food. However, even with those necessities, we will still eventually die and face God and if we face Him, unprepared, then we might say “We’re up a creek without a paddle!” I know the life I have here is just temporary and if I don’t have air, water and food – I’ll be a goner on this side of heaven. But, not when it comes to the promises God made in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. That WHOEVER believes in Him, shall NOT perish, but have EVERLASTING LIFE!” Woohoo! That’s what I’m talking about! Real life begins when we leave this life to eternal life.

If we desire to live eternally with God in heaven, we might start asking the riddle: ““What is it that you can’t live without in eternity, but must die to get it?” And, the answer is: “We must come to know the Maker of Heaven and Earth – the ONE Who created life, in the first place. Get to know the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ – Who came to give us eternal life. “To live with Christ, we must be buried with Him by baptism and raised to walk in the newness of life.” (Romans 6:3,4) Yes, we must first die with Christ, in order to live forever with Him. (2 Timothy 2:11,12)

So, if we want that “live forever and ever” guarantee – then we “Believe on the Lord, Jesus, Christ – AND we shall be saved!” (Acts 16:31) “And, Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” That, my friends is the Christian’s Bill of Health guarantee. Believe me when I say, you can’t truly live without it!