the characteristics of life devotional biotic versus abiotic life versus death

The Characteristics of LifeThe Characteristics of LifeDevotionalDevotional

Biotic Versus AbioticBiotic Versus AbioticLife Versus DeathLife Versus Death

The Lord is not slack concerning The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count His promise, as some count

slackness, but is longsuffering slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any toward us, not willing that any

should perish but that all should perish but that all should come to repentance. should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:92 Peter 3:9

“As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “I have no pleasure in the death

of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die,

O house of Israel?” Ezekiel 33:11

When God created the When God created the heaven and earth, He heaven and earth, He

created both living and created both living and non-living things. At the non-living things. At the

earth’s conception, it was earth’s conception, it was God’s plan that living God’s plan that living

things maintain eternal things maintain eternal life. life.

However His original plan However His original plan was breached by the sins of was breached by the sins of

our first parents. As a our first parents. As a result, death and decay result, death and decay

became a natural part of all became a natural part of all living things. living things.

Sin has separated us from Sin has separated us from God and leads to death. God and leads to death.

Yet, God’s love is an everlasting love Yet, God’s love is an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3) and He extends to (Jeremiah 31:3) and He extends to fallen humanity a second chance fallen humanity a second chance at eternal life. He is not willing at eternal life. He is not willing that any of us should perish and that any of us should perish and miss out of the glory of Heaven.miss out of the glory of Heaven.

His call to all humanity is His call to all humanity is that we turn from our sins that we turn from our sins and follow the footsteps of and follow the footsteps of

our Savior Jesus Christ.our Savior Jesus Christ.


Characteristics of OrganismsCharacteristics of OrganismsSpiritual CharacteristicsSpiritual Characteristics

For the flesh lusts against the For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against Spirit, and the Spirit against

the flesh; and these are the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so contrary to one another, so

that you do not do the things that you do not do the things that you wish. that you wish.

Galatians 5:17Galatians 5:17

Everything is known by its characteristics. Animals, Everything is known by its characteristics. Animals, plants, people, etc. are all known by their plants, people, etc. are all known by their

characteristics. characteristics.

The same is true of those The same is true of those who follow or reject God. who follow or reject God. Galatians refers to these Galatians refers to these

characteristics as the Fruits characteristics as the Fruits of the Spirit or the Works of of the Spirit or the Works of

the Flesh.the Flesh.

Most of us are familiar with the Fruits of the Most of us are familiar with the Fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, etc), but Spirit (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, etc), but

not so familiar with the Works of the Flesh not so familiar with the Works of the Flesh (Hatred, jealousy, selfishness, etc).(Hatred, jealousy, selfishness, etc).

As you read Galatians 5:17-26, reflect on As you read Galatians 5:17-26, reflect on yourself. Which of the listed characteristics yourself. Which of the listed characteristics

described do you reflect? described do you reflect?

Know that those who Know that those who possess the Fruits of the possess the Fruits of the

Spirit are those that follow Spirit are those that follow after Christ and will possess after Christ and will possess

eternal life. eternal life.

However, those that follow However, those that follow after the Works of the Flesh after the Works of the Flesh are living a life that leads to are living a life that leads to

death.death.

We are always battling between the Spirit and the We are always battling between the Spirit and the Flesh and must choose between Christ and the sinful Flesh and must choose between Christ and the sinful

things of the world. things of the world.

Let us all follow after Let us all follow after Christ and develop the Christ and develop the Fruits of the Spirit in Fruits of the Spirit in

our lives.our lives.


Organisms Are Made of CellsOrganisms Are Made of CellsA Part of the Big PictureA Part of the Big Picture

For whoever shall keep For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet the whole law, and yet

stumble in one point, he stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. is guilty of all. James 2:10James 2:10

You may have asked, “how good do I have to You may have asked, “how good do I have to be to make it to Heaven,” or “will God be to make it to Heaven,” or “will God

actually keep me out of Heaven if I fail in one actually keep me out of Heaven if I fail in one point of the law?” point of the law?”

When we asked these questions, it is a signal When we asked these questions, it is a signal that our priorities are in the wrong place. It is that our priorities are in the wrong place. It is not about how good do I have to be, or what not about how good do I have to be, or what

must I do, it is about the whole picture. must I do, it is about the whole picture.

God is more concern about our hearts God is more concern about our hearts and our personal relationship with Him. and our personal relationship with Him.

The law is a portion of The law is a portion of the bigger picture, our the bigger picture, our relationship with God. relationship with God.

Our desire to break any part of Our desire to break any part of the law is a direct reflection of the law is a direct reflection of

a breach in our relationship a breach in our relationship with Him. with Him.

Similarly, our desire to fulfill the Similarly, our desire to fulfill the law is a sign of our sincere love law is a sign of our sincere love

for Him. for Him.


Organisms Obtain and Use EnergyOrganisms Obtain and Use EnergyPowerPower

For God has not given us For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of a spirit of fear, but of

power and of love and power and of love and of a sound mind. of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:72 Timothy 1:7

Life is difficult! Life is difficult!

Each day we face new Each day we face new obstacles.obstacles.

The truth is, everyone has problems. The truth is, everyone has problems.

Children look to the future Children look to the future and say, “When I am old, and say, “When I am old, I can do what I want and I can do what I want and

I won’t have any I won’t have any problems.” Adults say, problems.” Adults say,

“If I could only be young “If I could only be young again, I would have no again, I would have no

problems.” problems.”

Our problems are very Our problems are very draining and at times can draining and at times can lead to a spirit of fear or lead to a spirit of fear or

even depression. How then even depression. How then do we deal with all the do we deal with all the

problems of life?problems of life?

It is God that gives us the It is God that gives us the strength and the power to strength and the power to

overcome all of life’s overcome all of life’s obstacles. If we but trust in obstacles. If we but trust in

Him and allow Him to work in Him and allow Him to work in our lives, He will bless us with our lives, He will bless us with

power, love, and a sound power, love, and a sound mind.mind.


Organisms Maintain HomeostasisOrganisms Maintain HomeostasisBalanceBalance

But seek first the But seek first the kingdom of God and His kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all righteousness, and all these things shall be these things shall be

added to you. added to you. Matthew 6:33Matthew 6:33

The older we get, the more things we will have The older we get, the more things we will have to juggle in life. Far too many people struggle to juggle in life. Far too many people struggle with poor physical and mental health because with poor physical and mental health because they are unable to maintain balance in their they are unable to maintain balance in their

life. God’s desire for all His children is that they life. God’s desire for all His children is that they will find true balance in their lives. will find true balance in their lives.

Reading Matthew 6:24-34, Reading Matthew 6:24-34, Jesus gives us the key to finding Jesus gives us the key to finding

balance. balance.

Yes, you will have to deal with all Yes, you will have to deal with all of the issues of life, but first seek of the issues of life, but first seek after the things of God, and He after the things of God, and He

will make way for everything else will make way for everything else in your life. in your life.

A balanced life begins A balanced life begins and ends with God!and ends with God!


Organisms ReproduceOrganisms ReproduceMake DisciplesMake Disciples

Go therefore and make Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, disciples of all the nations,

baptizing them in the name baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son of the Father and of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all teaching them to observe all

things that I have things that I have commanded you. commanded you.

Matthew 28:19, 20Matthew 28:19, 20

How alive are you in Christ? How alive are you in Christ? Before you answer that Before you answer that

question, consider what are question, consider what are you doing for Him? A you doing for Him? A

Christian, in the truest sense, Christian, in the truest sense, desires to be like Christ in all desires to be like Christ in all

His ways.His ways.

One of the reasons Christ One of the reasons Christ came to earth was to reflect came to earth was to reflect

His Father (John 14:9). His Father (John 14:9).

As His disciples, we likewise As His disciples, we likewise must be a reflection of Him.must be a reflection of Him.

As Christ reflected the As Christ reflected the Father, He called others to Father, He called others to

do likewise. These He do likewise. These He called His disciples. They called His disciples. They were to display and teach were to display and teach

the character of their the character of their Master. Master.

As a result, this Christ-like character was to be As a result, this Christ-like character was to be reproduced in the hearts of sinful men. The same reproduced in the hearts of sinful men. The same

commission as given to the 12 disciples is a commission as given to the 12 disciples is a command given to Christ’s followers today. The light command given to Christ’s followers today. The light

given to you by God must shine! given to you by God must shine!


Organisms Grow and DevelopOrganisms Grow and DevelopChristian Growth and DevelopmentChristian Growth and Development

And Jesus increased in And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and wisdom and stature, and

in favor with God and in favor with God and men. men.

Luke 2:52Luke 2:52

Christ likeness is not an Christ likeness is not an overnight process. It overnight process. It

requires time and effort. As requires time and effort. As we develop our minds we develop our minds

academically, we must also academically, we must also develop our minds with the develop our minds with the

word of Godword of God

It is the word of God that will change our Character. It is the word of God that will change our Character. As Jesus grew, He too needed guidance. He made it As Jesus grew, He too needed guidance. He made it a point to familiarize Himself with the word of God a point to familiarize Himself with the word of God

and as a result was prepared to face temptation with and as a result was prepared to face temptation with the scriptures. the scriptures.

Christ spiritual strength was not the result of knowing Christ spiritual strength was not the result of knowing scriptures alone, but on the fact that He depended scriptures alone, but on the fact that He depended

on the guidance of His Father. on the guidance of His Father.

Likewise we must trust the guidance of the Holy Spirit Likewise we must trust the guidance of the Holy Spirit as He speaks to our hearts and directs our paths. In as He speaks to our hearts and directs our paths. In doing so, the Christian will grow and develop into doing so, the Christian will grow and develop into

the very likeness of His Savior! the very likeness of His Savior!


Organisms AdaptOrganisms AdaptContentmentContentment

Not that I speak in regard to Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be whatever state I am, to be

content. content. Philippians 4:11Philippians 4:11

We live in a culture that teaches get all you can We live in a culture that teaches get all you can no matter what it takes. Many have forfeited no matter what it takes. Many have forfeited their right to the Kingdom of Heaven because their right to the Kingdom of Heaven because of this principle. Many have placed God on of this principle. Many have placed God on hold to fulfill their earthly desires and are hold to fulfill their earthly desires and are

found lacking in the sight of God. found lacking in the sight of God.

Paul teaches that we must Paul teaches that we must learn to be content. Not learn to be content. Not that we are to settle for that we are to settle for

less, but that we must be less, but that we must be accepting of whatever our accepting of whatever our

lot may belot may be

Paul says that he has Paul says that he has been on all sides of the been on all sides of the

spectrum. He knows spectrum. He knows what it is to have plenty, what it is to have plenty, and he knows what it is and he knows what it is

to be in want. to be in want.

Yet, he proclaims that your Yet, he proclaims that your current circumstance is current circumstance is

irrelevant. Why, because he irrelevant. Why, because he has learned that he can do has learned that he can do all things through Christ his all things through Christ his

strength (vs. 13). strength (vs. 13).

We too should be like Paul. We too should be like Paul. Rather than chasing after Rather than chasing after

the dreams of this world, we the dreams of this world, we should chase after the should chase after the reality of God’s love.reality of God’s love.

Thus doing, we like Paul will Thus doing, we like Paul will be able to adapt to whatever be able to adapt to whatever

circumstance we find circumstance we find ourselves in. ourselves in.

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