The Gospel Coalition

World News Service–Scientists have stumbled upon an amazing discovery “hidden” in their midst for thousands of years.  While efforts to detect life on other planets has been largely fruitless, some have been surprised to find life right here on planet earth.

Researchers at The Obfuscate Center on Sentient Beings were startled to discover evidence of intelligent human life on earth.  One senior research official offered comments on the condition of anonymity: “For so long, we’ve assumed that life must be found elsewhere, or at least interesting life must be found elsewhere.  The old paradigm held that things on earth were simply artifacts of random chance and that little meaningful life could be observed.  To have evidence of real life on earth… well that changes everything.  We have to start over.”

Others were more cautious, calling for further scientific research and government funding to verify the claims.  Dr. Aurelius Sowat, chief biological researcher at The Scientific Laboratory for Animate Matter and Life  (SLAM Life), scoffed at the finding.  “Much more needs to be done to confirm these reports.  It’ll take decades of highly specialized research to verify these ‘findings.’  And even if the research proves valid, of what use is it?”  Dr. Sowat continued: “It wouldn’t change one thing about my daily existence.”

One observer of the recent scientific exchange regarding the existence of life on earth, the much beloved theologian, author, and speaker, John Messenger, says he is not surprised at the discussion.  “In one sense, both sides are correct.  There is a surprising amount of life on earth if you know how to look for it.  And, one can easily see that there is so much absence of life as well.  The problem is that most people think dead things are alive simply because they move or speak or feel, while the truly living things are despised and rejected.”

Mr. Messenger teaches that in order for their to be life on earth, people must be born again.  Until people are born again, they are in fact spiritually dead.  Then, they become new creatures with real spiritual life in them.  They are people with eternal life and a new identity, often mistaken as outcasts, rebels, and scourges to the former culture of death.

Mr. Messenger is no stranger to such mistaken identities.  He spent some time in exile for his preaching and writing, and believes he simply suffered the kind of rejection that truly living people face.  Asked about his time in exile and if he had any words of encouragement for those now facing rejection because they’re alive, he said, “Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.  We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers.  Anyone who does not love remains in death.  Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.”

John reminds his followers that there is one path to finding true life on earth: “to believe in the name of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.  Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them.  And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.”

Dr. Sowat mocked John Messenger’s comments as “the delusions of an old man brokenhearted at the loss of a great teacher important to him.”  He asked, “Do we really believe that life on earth comes down to believing in the Son of God and loving others?  Where’s the proof of that?”

Reached for one last comment, John Messenger said, “Proof?  We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.  And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.  If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.  And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.  The proof is in the living people, who live in God.  You don’t need a microscope to see that.”