Real Life It would appear that many are really living the life, that all is good because of riches, success, and popularity. Movie stars, athletes, and rich entrepreneurs surely must be experiencing real, fulfilling, and gratifying life. While there are benefits for those living these apparently ideal roles, there is also the potential that all those outwardly desirable blessings are not what they seem. Like knockoff jewelry on the street, there may be shine, label, and temporary functionality, but the real won’t ultimately tarnish, fade, and break down like those counterfeits. The real will come with a price, but will faithfully stand the test of time because of the quality of its design, materials, and craftsmanship. The challenge, then, is to identify the real and not get sold something that will disappoint and fail. With so many enticements and opinions coming our way, there is no lack of street salesmen pitching what seems to be viable options, to get caught up in a lifetime of commitment to things that might not be real at all. This is even the challenge for those who discover new life in Christ. In Him is the real, the authentic, the life that will remain through eternity. However, there are endless thoughts on what that life will look like and how it should be lived. Some of them may represent the truth, but to know life that is so much more than a glamorous outward façade there is only one voice that can provide that way. It will be the voice of the Master, guiding into a way of blessing that doesn’t come with sorrow and regret. Real life with come with the price of our whole life, but will be lived according to the design, materials and craftsmanship of the Way, the Truth, and THE LIFE. It will never fade, fail, or breakdown through life’s greatest challenges and the test of time. It is real life. Notes Real Price Design Materials Craftsmanship Real life can’t be polled Matthew 7:14 (TLB) 14 But the Gateway to Life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it. Fool’s Deception – rich farmer Luke 12:15 (TLB) 15 Beware! Don’t always be wishing for what you don’t have. For real life and real living are not related to how rich we are.” Not discovered in self Matthew 16:25-26 (TLB) 25 For anyone who keeps his life for himself shall lose it; and anyone who loses his life for me shall find it again. 26 What profit is there if you gain the whole world—and lose eternal life? What can be compared with the value of eternal life? Don’t have real life till He comes John 10:10 (NKJV) 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. Real Life’s design/substance Galatians 2:20 (TLB) 20 I have been crucified with Christ: and I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And the real life I now have within this body is a result of my trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Real Life Discovered/Lived Colossians 3:2-17 (NLT) 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. 5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. 7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. 12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.16 Remember what Christ taught, and let his words enrich your lives and make you wise; teach them to each other and sing them out in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing to the Lord with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, and come with him into the presence of God the Father to give him your thanks. Overview Things that are real come at a price, are masterfully designed, and have quality materials and expert craftsmanship. Real life is not determined by polls and popularity. Few really find it. Losing our life is the price for discovering true life. Jesus came to provide life that is not there without Him. Life is not found just in Jesus’ thoughts but in union with His death, burial, and resurrection. Real life in Christ will endure with goodness, love, and blessing through this life and eternally beyond. Prayer I lay down thoughts that would consume me for life in this world and ask that You fill me with Your thoughts and the life that is mine in You. Cause me to walk in the light of Your presence in Life that will be blessed for a blessing purpose. I commit to living the real life that I’ve found only in You. Declarations I have found real life in Christ that causes me to know everything about who I really am and my purpose for this life and eternity. I willingly lose all perceptions of life that don’t include Christ so that I can continue to discover all that is mine in Him. I embrace all the actions, attitudes, and purity that is in this life and put to death all others. When Christ who is my life is revealed to the whole world I will share in His glory.