Living Proof

What single word comes to mind when you hear the name Jesus Christ? I have heard many answers to this question over the years. Some have answered “philosopher, prophet, revolutionary, and man”; but the one word that sums it up best for me is everything. Pure and simple, straightforward and succinct; when you place Christ in the center of your life, He comes to mean everything to you. If you allow Him, He can become the foundation for your entire life.

Christ is my everything because He means everything to me. #Easter #HeIsRisen #Resurrection Click To Tweet

For me, Easter has long been a week of somber reflection that culminates in joyous celebration. I think about the tremendous price Christ paid for each one of us. It is overwhelming when I stop and recognize how Jesus Christ, the living Son of God, voluntarily left heaven to become man for my sake. His human life gave us the living example of righteousness to follow as He willingly paid the price of our sin to redeem us in His Father’s eyes (John 3:16). He ransomed heaven to pay the sin debt we could never pay. Jesus overcame death, sin, and the grave for each of us when on the third day He arose (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Oh, friends, when you consider all that He gave, all that He is, and all that He offers, how can we continue to selfishly deny Him?

Christians use many words to describe Jesus, such as Savior, love, peace, joy, forgiveness, mercy, perfection, grace, teacher, and others. For me, it’s everything. He is my:

  • Salvation—By His sacrifice, I am saved by grace, through faith (Ephesians 2:8)
  • Teacher—He teaches me the way of righteousness (John 13:13)
  • Comforter—I come to Him in times of sorrow; for He cares for me (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)
  • Freedom—In Him, I am free from the shackles of sin and death (Romans 8:2)
  • Conscience—With His guidance, I traverse the righteous way, in the midst of the paths of justice (Proverbs 8:20)
  • Joy—I am made full by the joy He gives me (John 15:11)
  • Mentor—Jesus modeled every example I should endeavor to follow in my life (John 20:21)
  • Friend—He is my constant companion; always there whenever I call (Proverbs 18:24)
  • Disciplinarian—He instructs me, He leads me in the path of righteousness (Psalm 23:3)
  • Intercessor—It is through Him I can draw close to God (Hebrews 7:25)
  • Brother—He seeks to sanctify me (Hebrews 2:11)
  • Hope—In Him, I have the living hope of His promise for eternal life (1 Peter 1:3)
  • Judge—I will bow at His throne one day, facing His divine judgment (Matthew 25:31-46)

One of my favorite songs is “Living Proof” by Wilburn and Wilburn. A part of the chorus includes “… The story of my Savior stands upon the rock of truth; cause when it comes to Jesus, I’ve got Living Proof!” My proof is in the text the apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20.

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live,
but Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the
flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave
Himself for me.”
(Galatians 2:20, NKJV)

I find my proof when others see how Christ lives in me. Click To Tweet

I see evidence of His living proof in the actions, words, and deeds of every true Christian I meet in this world. It is the perseverance I see people exhibit when facing adversity. I see Him in the grace extended to others when the world chooses instead to condemn. His living proof is in the love I see delivered by the hearts of Christians who fill the world with God’s love through a smile, kind word, or gentle touch. It is in the glorious, humble acts performed by others; not from a sense of duty or responsibility, but from a desire to show compassion to others and glorify God.

I have proof my Savior lives, because I see Him in Christians all around this world; and I pray people see Him in me as well. Let us each attempt to show and share Christ with others each day. I pray Christ’s true church rises up and stands tall once again—a shining beacon of hope and truth in this land. As we join together and reflect upon the last days of Jesus’ earthly life, let us find the joy that Easter brings by knowing we are living proof that He is risen indeed (Luke 24:34).

 

God’s blessings,

Signature

 

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48 thoughts on “Living Proof”

  1. Candyce Carden

    It is indeed overwhelming when I pause to think on everything Jesus did for me. I’m so thankful for Holy Week and words like yours that help me do that.

  2. The Last Supper, Gethsemene, the trials and crucifixion all have such strong messages. Even Jesus’ burial. But the resurrection speaks loudest of all. Oh, Father, thank You for raising Jesus. Thank You for seeing His work as finished and completely atoning for my sin. Thank You for saying YES! and welcoming Your Son home to be a great intecessor for us. I kneel before you in gratitude!!

  3. He is my everything too. Great post, as usual, JD. It is so difficult to understand why He would give up everything in heaven to save a wretch like me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts during this sacred week. Happy Easter. The Lord is risen, hallelujah

    1. I’m with you Ms. Yvonne. So undeserving and unworthy of His love, yet so grateful for its redeeming power. God’s blessings and my prayers for a blessed Easter week my friend.

  4. Beautiful and powerful message, J.D. We are all living proof Jesus is the Savior who rose from the dead! Because Jesus is alive and well, it is well with my soul! I see Jesus in you through your words each week and your messages online. Happy Holy Week!

  5. Jesus is my all-in-all! I love this week to ponder His sacrifice for all mankind. He prayed to His Father three times for that cup to pass away from Him, but He obediently went to the cross for the joy set before Him. Praise our Lord for His sacrifice as the perfect Lamb of God who takes away our sin through His shed blood and gives us eternal life through His resurrection. Happy Easter to you and your family, J.D. 🙂

    1. Perfect week to do just that Ms. Karen. Thank you so very much for adding such depth and richness to our conversation my friend. God’s blessings to you and yours; and Happy Easter ma’am.

  6. Amen, J.D. All those words and more tell us who Christ is. He is the everlasting and no one word can sum up His character. I love the song, “In Christ Alone.” In Him my hope is found, He is everything. Thanks for sharing and Happy Easter!

  7. That single world would be Majesty

    noun
    1. impressive stateliness, dignity, or beauty.
    “experience the majesty of the Rockies”
    Similar:
    stateliness, dignity, magnificence, grandeur, splendor, resplendence, glory, impressiveness,
    superbness, awesomeness, awe, loftiness, regalness,
    royalty, kingliness, nobility, and exaltedness.

    2. royal power.
    “the majesty of the royal household”
    Similar: sovereignty, authority, power, and dominion.

  8. Yes, J.D. Excellent truths here. This made me think of the hymn we used to sing “He’s Everything to Me.” I hadn’t thought of that one in years. It will take all of eternity to describe all He is to us. What a Savior!

  9. I am so sorry to be this late in getting to your Easter post, J.D., but so encouraged and blessed by the powerful way you supported the way Jesus can be “everything” to us. The Amens just got more frequent and louder as the testimony of who Jesus is to you, and to all who will trust Him, was reinforced again and again with the Word of God. Things have been challenging for a few days and I’m way out of my routine and running way behind. Please forgive me for being, as my grandpa would call it, “the cow’s tail” in getting to the blessing that your inspirational offerings always brings. May God bless you with the kind of Easter that you so faithfully admonished all of to be a part of, and may we all make Him our “everything.”

    1. It isn’t the when, but the what that matters Mr. Ron. And what your words bring (joy, learning, encouragement, support, and grace) are a blessing whenever I can receive them. As I’m responding to your comments on this “Quiet Saturday”, I am reflecting on how Christ’s grave sat silent on that Sabbath day, but I am imaging our Messiah, our Savior boldly walking through the gates of hell, snatching the keys from Satan, and sternly looking him in the eyes with a fiery stare that says “you’ve always know you lost, and I’m here to take what you attempted to steal from the Father. You know too that I’m coming back son for what is mine and to end your reign forever.” As I think of these things, I can feel my joy building inside. His victory is ours to live out, as we allow Him to live in us. Amen brother!

  10. Thank you, J.D., for reminding us that Jesus is everything. Like you, I pray that I am a Light for Jesus in all that I say and do. Wishing you a blessed Easter and a joyous Resurrection Day. I hope all are doing well on the Cross-Dubya.

  11. Amen to all you’ve said, J.D.! Jesus is indeed Everything! And we sure see that during Holy Week. Praying you have a blessed Easter, my friend!

  12. “His living proof is in the love I see delivered by the hearts of Christians who fill the world with God’s love through a smile, kind word, or gentle touch. It is in the glorious, humble acts performed by others; not from a sense of duty or responsibility, but from a desire to show compassion to others and glorify God.” Your words rang clear in my heart. My prayer is often that humility undergirds my every action. I have to laugh sometimes when I tell folks that my husband of few words and a servant heart keeps me humble. When I’ve worked hard on a special piece for the organ (I mean, for months), I’ll ask him how it was. He says, “Fine!” I mean . . . can’t he embellish it just a little? : )

    1. If only you knew how he (Mr. Park) goes on about you in his prayers and to anyone who will listen when you’re not there. To hear him speak about his soulmate and very best friend, I’m pretty certain your feet are only an inch below the surface of the lake when you walk across it. 🙂 I suspect your dear husband speaks to you much like I do my Ms. Diane. Fine isn’t a summary, it’s an acronym for Fabulous, Inspiring, Nonpareil, and Enchanting.

      I too pray that God help keeps me humble so that others recognize I do things not for my glory but His. God’s blessings sweet lady, and Happy Easter.

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