Living: Really Living vs. Existing

I am reading the Gospel of John by Wm. Barclay and wish to share his thoughts on life, which I find illuminating.

“Until we accept Jesus and take him as our Saviour and enthrone him as our King, we cannot be said to live at all. Those who live Christless lives exist, but they do not know what life is.”

Barclay interprets God’s meaning in the first chapter as follows: “I created human beings that they should have real life; through their sin they have creased to live and only exist; I have sent them my Son to enable them to know what real life is.”

He then asks the question, “How do we enter into that life?” and responds:

“Belief means the conviction of the mind that Jesus is the Son of God, the trust of the heart that everything he says is true and the basing of every action on the unshakable assurance that we must take him at his word.”

Image credit: Ben Kerckx