Living as a Christian in this world has never been easy. In fact, if living as a Christian in this world SEEMS to be easy, you are probably not living the life God calls His children to live! While some declare that believing in Jesus is guaranteed to bring health and wealth into your life, Jesus told His disciples they would have trials in this world, that they would suffer and be persecuted for the sake of His Name … even put to death. Jesus said, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you!” (John 15:18). It may sound discouraging to some, even pessimistic, but while the Gospel goes out into the world, drawing those whom God has chosen to place their faith in Jesus Christ, the Bible says life will get more difficult for believers as we get closer to Jesus’ return. Yet in the midst of that reality, Jesus declares that He is the Good Shepherd, who came to lay down His life for His sheep. “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly,” Jesus says in John 10:10. What is this “abundant life” that Jesus promised? What does it mean to have “LIFE” in Christ?? Romans 6 explains what Jesus was talking about, and if you KNOW you have this life, you will rejoice in God’s gift and live every day as one who is ALIVE in Christ! Only here will you find true spiritual freedom as you live with Jesus and for Jesus. No longer will you be a slave to sin, for you have the Spirit of Christ living in you, producing the “abundant life” Jesus promised. Righteousness is now your goal! May you know true joy as you live LIFE to the praise of the God who saved you!!