Life is defined as animated existence as distinguished from dead matter.
It is also defined as conscious existence with the powers derived from it.
There are two Hebrew words for Life: Chay—khah’ee, which means alive and living and Nephesh—Nep-fesh, which means Breath or Breathing Creature.
There are two Greek words for Life: Zoe—dzoey, which means life and Psuche—psookhay, which means Breath or Spirit.
We have “LIFE” because God has blessed us with His “LIFE”.
In spite of what some may advocate that life comes from lifeless objects. The Holy Word of God teaches that God shared His eternal “LIFE” with us so we could have “eternal LIFE.”
The “Breath of God” is the “LIFE” force that animates man in a very unique way.
Man is the climax of God’s creative work and even though he is taken from the dust of the earth the “Breath of God” makes him significantly different from everything else that has been created. No other created being or thing has been given “The breath of God.” This distinction was given to man and only to man.
The Bible clearly teaches that God made man in His “Image/Likeness.”
This doesn’t mean that God is physical or that He has physical features but is referring to God’s “Spirit.” Genesis 1:26; John 4:24; 1 Thessalonians 5:23
It is also referring to God’s intelligence and knowledge.
This is the evidence of man having a “soul” and even though other living creatures have a “soul” with man it refers to the ability to have rational and reasoning when it comes to “knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:5 & 22; Hebrews 4:11-13
God gave man these qualities to us so we could live now and forever but where we live will be determined by the choices we make now. John 5:25-29
About the author:
Don and his wife Brenda have been married 48 years. They have two married sons Jason/Crista and Nicholas/Heather and four grandsons Luke, Ryker, Blake and Drew. Don is a graduate of the Gateway School of Preaching, Fairview Heights, IL, the Bristol Roads School of Biblical Studies, Flint, MI and he has a bachelor’s degree in religious education from Michigan Christian College. He has been preaching since 1979. He has preached at Pacific, MO; Howell, MI; Arnold, MO; Festus, MO; Dexter, MO; and De Soto, MO where he has served since 2007. He also serves the congregation as one of the elders. Don has done campaigns and meetings in several states and mission work in Cuba, India, and Jamaica. Don refers to himself as a “Minister” because he loves ministering to others and helping them learn about Jesus and growing in their relationship with Him.
De Soto church of Christ 