"Having a Personal Experience with

God will Extend Your Life"

"And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel ('facing God'): for I HAVE SEEN GOD FACE TO FACE, and MY LIFE IS PRESERVED". Genesis 32:30 KJV (Capitals are mine for emphasis)

THE SECRET OF THE FULFILLMENT OF LIFE IS FOUND IN THE FACE OF JESUS

A popular myth was circulated in ancient times that to look on the face of God would cause a person to die. Just the opposite was true. What is the source of our spiritual life? The answer is found in 2 Corinthians 4:6 KJV, "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give THE LIGHT OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE GLORY OF GOD IN THE FACE OF JESUS CHRIST". (Capitals are mine for emphasis) The glory of God emanates from "the face of Jesus Christ". The secret of the fulfillment of life is in found in the face of Jesus. That is why we say, "Look and live".

WITH THE CHANGE OF NAME CAME A CHANGE OF CHARACTER

One night when Jacob encountered a divine stranger, he would not let the One Whom he would soon discover was the Angel of the Lord, depart from him, until He received the imparted blessing. This declaration resulted in an all-night wrestling match. As a result of this face-to-face confrontation with God Himself--the preincarnate Jesus Christ--his life was not only preserved, but his name was changed to Israel. With the change of name came a change of character. He went from being known as "the deceiver" to "a prince with God". Blessings and an extension of life came about when Israel met his Lord face-to-face.

IT IS NOT A PHYSICAL DEATH, BUT "DEATH TO SELF"

Yes, there will be a death when we look upon the face of Jesus. It is not physical death, but "death to self". This kind of death is necessary if we are to experience Christ's resurrection life, as we crucify the flesh, and "have a funeral for the old man of our carnal nature". Jesus, alive and well through the power of the Holy Spirit, lives in us. He is the reason for our very existence.

IF WE WANT TO LIVE A LONG LIFE, ADDING YEARS TO OUR LIFE, AND LIFE TO OUR YEARS, WE NEED THEN TO HAVE A PURPOSE TO GET OUT OF BED EVERY MORNING

One of the reasons Jesus came to Earth was "that we might have life, and have it more abundantly". John 10:10 KJV. If we want to live a long life, adding years to our life, and life to our years, we need then to have a purpose to get out of bed every morning. Experiencing God's glory helps us to increase our knowledge of who Jesus really is. Knowing Him and making Him known to others should be a major reason to keep living.