What is the source of life? Who is the Source of life? I mean abundant life. This question bothers many individuals, possibly because they have not encountered John the apostle who gave a powerful testimony about the “Source of life” in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Today, it is no longer customary to meet someone on the street who believes there is just one way to eternal life: Jesus. Living life to the fullest is a goal for many people. They chase money, relationships, jobs, wealth, entertainment, luxury, travel, and all the good things “life” has to offer. In the pursuits of this life, chasers do not care about their values. Chasing life becomes an end in itself. Therefore, wealth, riches, jobs, pleasure, and love can be achieved by any means necessary.
Others claim they can still live their lives displaying humility, integrity, honesty, and morality while pursuing their goals in their own strength.
Both groups make the mistake of thinking they can live an abundant life without the Source of life, Jesus Christ–the way, the truth, and the life.
The source of life
What does the Bible say about the source of life?
The teachings of the Gospel of John offer significant insights into the pursuit of comprehending the core of faith and life. The understanding that Jesus Christ is the Source of life—a notion that appears throughout Scripture—is at the heart of our investigation.
John, in his investigation and reporting of Jesus Christ’s actions, shares the significance of Jesus as the divine Source of life, as encapsulated in John 14:6.
1. Eternal/abundant life in Jesus
According to the Gospel of John, Jesus embodies eternal, self-existent divine life. John argues, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men”(John 1:4, NKJV). This life is the source of both physical existence and spiritual salvation. Throughout John, the idea of life (gr. zoē) is frequently associated with the assurance of eternal life.
The choice towards this abundant life, rooted in a spiritually rich relationship with God, is the first step toward the eternal life we seek.
Jesus’ goal was to give humanity eternal life, which highlights the necessity of believing in Him for salvation (John 3:15, 16). The story of the bronze serpent in the desert symbolizes Jesus’ sacrificial act on the cross, emphasizing that He took on the penalty for sin to give us eternal life. Therefore, to receive Jesus as the source of Life, one needs faith.
2. The role of faith
Scripture presents faith as a gift from God necessary for salvation and spiritual development. According to Romans 10:17, hearing the Word of God is the first step in developing faith. This stresses the importance of studying Scripture. According to John 1:12–13, accepting Jesus and believing in His name are the two essential elements for becoming a Christian. Human acceptance and heavenly regeneration are two facets of faith that emphasize how cooperative our connection with God is. We are convinced of our need for salvation by the Holy Spirit. Genuine faith is a heavenly gift that allows us to perceive and comprehend spiritual truths rather than just being a human activity.
Rejection of abundant life
However, despite this revelation of Jesus as the Source of life, Scripture also reveals the tragic rejection of Jesus by many, despite His divine nature and the evidence of His messianic role (John 1:10, 11). Today, the dangers of doubt and a humanistic approach to truth lead to a similar rejection of faith in Jesus as the Source of life.
Unfortunately, rejecting Jesus, the Light of the world, carries significant spiritual consequences. John 3:18 states that those who do not believe are already condemned, illustrating the gravity of choosing darkness over light. This theme is echoed in the story of Adam and Eve, who fell into deception and sin by doubting God’s Word. Their choice to trust their reasoning over divine instruction is a cautionary tale for all believers.
Reception of the abundant life
Among the Igbo people of Nigeria, children born after life-threatening circumstances, such as narrowly surviving death or being born through a difficult pregnancy, are often given names that reflect the preciousness of life. Therefore, they bear names like “Ndubuisi,” (life is key/life is primary or central) and “Ndukaku” (life is greater than wealth or riches). These names capture a cultural truth that life is of the highest value. “Life is at the center of Igbo cosmology and ontology.”1
This idea is termed “Ezi-ndu” (better life, best life, or abundant life). Essentially, almost everything an Igbo person does is focused on accomplishing a single goal, which is to preserve and improve life. Generally speaking, everything that undermines or interferes with accomplishing this crucial goal is abhorrent and is hence despised and hated.2
Some people chase after Ezi-ndu, or an abundant life, through misguided or immoral paths, prioritizing success, wealth, or status in ways that do not honor God. Yet, no matter what we do to achieve Ezi-ndu, we cannot attain true salvation if Jesus is left out of the equation.
That is what Scripture says: the rejection of Jesus, the Light of the world, results in condemnation (John 3:18). Believers are therefore encouraged to reflect on their faith and the implications of Jesus’ promises for their lives today. Pursuing Ezi-ndu without Jesus results in a life lacking both salvation and spiritual abundance, like a tree that grows tall but bears no fruit. Jesus Himself said He came to give us a more abundant life. Such a life is marked not just by physical well-being or prosperity but also by an inward fullness of joy, peace, and purpose.
The choice towards this abundant life, rooted in a spiritually rich relationship with God, is the first step toward the eternal life we seek. It is not based on human reasoning or achievement but on divine revelation followed by solid faith. Such an abundant life cannot exist without Jesus, who said: “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10, NIV).
1 Vitalis Ugwu, “Defining Life in African Igbo Cosmology,” Joshua: Journal of Science , Humanities and Arts, vol. 8, issue 3, May 2021: https://www.josha-archive.org/system/articles/merged_pdfs/000/000/755/original/tmp_pdf_defining-life-in-african-igbo-cosmology.pdf?1620639849, accessed August 8, 2024.
2 Ibid.
