The Way, The Reality, and the Life (John 14:6), R.Z.

John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, I am the way and the reality and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” Throughout the ages, every thoughtful human being who has lived on this earth has asked this question, “What is the meaning of my life?” Some never find the answer; Some are too busy to find it; Some may think they have found it; and there are some who have realized the purpose of life.

I recall the time when I was only 10 years old: One summer night I was lying on the green grass of a track field staring at the stars above. The countless stars in the sky and the vast dimension of the universe impressed me. “How insignificant a human is!” I thought. Every man has to die eventually and who is going to remember him? There must be a purpose to living instead of just repeating the endless life and death cycle. Being as naïve as I was, I decided to become a famous physicist just like Isaac Newton about whom I had learned from my textbook and whose name I knew that everyone knew.

Throughout all my life I have been trying to be a righteous and proper man. Yet I have failed many times and I was overwhelmed with many condemnations that I could not shake off. One day I heard the story of a perfect Man who died for my sins so that I can be free from the bondage of the sin. This Man's name is Jesus and I confessed His name. Surely He has predestinated me to receive Him since the foundation of the world (Romans 8:28-30). Surely He is my creator and I was made to receive Him. Surely He as the shepherd sought me until He found me. Surely I will never go to the lake of fire according to the promise He made in John 3:16. Yet many times I still ask myself, “Is this it? What else do I need to do?”

One day He brought me to the local church. I began to meet with the brothers and sisters in Christ, learning the truth in the Bible and experiencing the truth with them. Just like stepping into a room of bright light from the night, I was infused by Christ, the Truth of all truth. The eyes of my heart were opened and my conscience was enlightened and sharpened (Eph. 1:18). Now I know that the purpose of being a Christian is not just to be saved eternally, but also that every day I can abide in Christ (John 15:4-5) to express Him in everything so that eventually I can become like Him in life and nature (not in the Godhead). The ultimate goal is to be His Bride, His counterpart for eternity. This gives meaning and motivation to my Christian living. In addition, I have the way, because Christ has become the life-giving Spirit who indwells me (1 Corinthian 15:45, 2 Timothy 4:22). When I turn to Him, He becomes power and love and sober-mindness to me (2 Timothy 1:7). While I have been enjoying Christ, the Truth, my daily living has spontaneously changed to one that is pleasing to God. I also have seen many others who have similar experiences that God is real and He is dwelling among us. I used to be the prodigal son, and now I am back in my Father's house with robe, ring, sandals, and eating the fattened calf (Luke 15:11-24). He is truly my deep longing. He is the way, the reality, and the life (John 14:6).