How to Get Life

Jesus reveals how to get life—not through the flesh, but through the Spirit and His Word, where real and lasting life is found.

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh provides no benefit; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit, and are life.—John 6:63 NASB

The flesh. From the moment of our birth, it drives and preoccupies us. We are motivated to satisfy our needs and desires.

But Jesus warned that the promises of the flesh are an illusion. The flesh “provides no benefit”! While everything associated with the flesh seems to answer our problems, it’s of no help in advancing the things that really matter.

So, where is real life? How can we experience things that do profit and last? Jesus says the answer is in receiving life from the Holy Spirit and His Word.

As we determine to focus on the realm of the Spirit, people may mock us. We can be tempted by the desires of the flesh and drawn away by the things of this world. Yielding to the flesh, we can abandon our relationship with the Lord and our pursuit of the Spirit.

We must renew our commitment to be led by the Holy Spirit and put to death the deeds of the flesh (Colossians 3:5). Our lives should be shaped by the words of Jesus and the principles found in the Bible. They provide the path to real life, giving true discernment and wisdom, helping us stay on course, and training us to make good decisions.

Today, don’t let the flesh control your life! Surrender to the Holy Spirit. Fill your mind with God’s Word. Let Him give you His perspective and show you real life in Him.

Reflection Question: What area of my life needs to be surrendered to the Spirit?