Essentials For Life

In this column, I want to compare what are considered essentials in two different realms the realm of the physical world and the spiritual realm. Let me start with the physical. It is necessary to have at least these four essential for physical life to exist. Number one is air. Our bodies require an inflow of oxygen that is a part of the air we breathe. The body can't live without it is essential. The second is water. Although it varies some, scientists say that the adult human body consists of approximately 60% water. Several different functions in our body use that water, and it needs replacing. It is so vital that if that replacement doesn't happen, then life at some point will cease. It is essential. The third is food. In food, we find fuel and nutrients crucial to life. Although we can live for a short period without it, eventually, we will run out of these necessary life components and no longer be alive. Food is essential. The fourth is light. Your first response may be that you could live without light, but think about it. It wouldn't be much of a life to always be in total darkness, and it may cause such depression that the will to live would cease. But more than that, light is directly connected to energy and heat. The sun not only provides light but also heat. Both come from the same source. Without that heat, we would freeze to death. It is essential.

In the spiritual realm, these same components are essentials as well. The Holy Spirit of God is the reference in scripture as being like air or wind. The Holy Spirit is essential to find and to live the truths of God. Jesus speaking to Nicodemus in John 3 tells him that to be alive spiritually, he must be born again or actually born spiritually. John 3:8 "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." And John 20:22, "And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit." Being alive spiritually and living as God designed you to live involves the Holy Spirit. Two is water. In John 4, Jesus had an encounter with a Samaritan woman. In this conversation, He told her He could give her "living water." Then in verse 14, He says, "But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." The truth of Jesus Christ and what He has to offer is necessary for eternal life, just as water is for physical life. It is essential. The third is food. In John 6:35, Jesus says, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst." Jesus satisfies all the needs of the spiritual aspect of a person. He nourishes and sustains because He is what you need for eternal life. And the fourth is light. In John 9:5, Jesus says, "I am the light of the world." You enter a dark room, turn on the light, and suddenly all the darkness is gone. Where did the dark go? And where is the switch to turn on darkness? We know that darkness is simply the absence of light. When He says that He is the light, it means that the darkness will go away whenever He is present. Darkness is symbolic of the realm of Satan or everything that is in opposition to God. When Jesus is there, the light will vanish from the darkness, and now there is light to see.

This week we celebrate Jesus coming into our world to offer air, water, food, and light. He has and is essential for eternal life. Have you ever thought about looking at Jesus a little harder than you have in the past? He offers everything you need for eternal life, and He will give this to you if you truly trust in Him.

I pray that you would have a Merry Christmas and truly be able to celebrate Jesus Christ!

Pastor Lynn Rettig

Musselshell Community Bible Church