Who is the Author of life? ∙

Who is the Author of life? ∙

You killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. – Acts 3:15

Colossians 1:15-17

 15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,

 16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see – such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.

 17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.

The Author of Life

Benjamin Franklin, one of the most influential Founding Fathers of America, began his career in a print shop, where he co-owned and operated the business. His early exposure to writing not only shaped his professional journey but also influenced his philosophical outlook on life. Franklin’s precocious nature was evident at the age of 22 when he wrote his own epitaph, showcasing his wit, humility, and belief in life after death.

Franklin’s epitaph reads: “The body of B. Franklin, Printer; like the cover of an old book (its contents torn out, and stripped of its lettering and gilding), lies here, food for worms. But the work shall not be wholly lost, for it will (as he believed) appear once more, in a new and more perfect edition, corrected and amended, by the Author.”

This metaphorical inscription shows Franklin’s view of life as a work in progress created by a higher power. While Franklin is often seen as a deist, his words reflect recognition of God as the ultimate Creator, the “Author” of life itself.

Life as a Book: Writing Our Story

Franklin’s epitaph vividly depicts human life as a book, where each person writes their own story. The blank pages symbolize the choices and actions we take, influenced by our free will. While we have the freedom to write anything we want, wisdom urges us to craft a meaningful and virtuous story. Franklin’s metaphor prompts us to think about the legacy we leave behind, much like the lasting impact of a well-written book.

For those who see God as the ultimate Author, life gains a deeper meaning. As Ephesians 2:10 reminds us: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

This verse emphasizes that we are not just writing our own stories but are co-authors with God, who has a divine plan for each of us. By allowing Him to guide our lives, we can create something truly extraordinary, a masterpiece that showcases Him.

The Role of Our Co-Author

As children of the King, we are called to live in a way that honors our Creator. When we invite the Father to be our co-author, His design and creativity can transform our lives into something extraordinary. However, human frailty and the effects of sin can tarnish this divine collaboration. Our fallen nature often leads us away from His perfect plan, but His grace continually invites us back to the path of righteousness.

The Apostle John offers a timeless warning in 1 John 5:21: “Little children, guard yourselves against idols.”

In Franklin’s era, idols were physical objects. However, today they can take many forms, anything that distracts us from worshiping God. To live as God’s masterpiece, we must guard our hearts and ensure that He stays the center of our lives.

REFLECT & PRAY

To honor God as the Author of life, we must strive to live in alignment with His will. This means surrendering our plans and ambitions to Him, trusting that His design is much greater than anything we could accomplish on our own. When we let God lead, our lives become a reflection of His love, grace, and creativity.

Father, thank You for giving me both life and eternal life through Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Author of life. Help me to live as Your masterpiece, allowing You to guide my story and bring honor to Your name.

INSIGHT

The Author of Life: Jesus Christ as Creator

Acts 3:15 declares, “You killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead.” The term “Author” in this passage is translated from the Greek word archegos, which is derived from arche, meaning “beginning” or “first in time.” In the realm of Scripture, the concept of arche goes beyond a simple understanding of time. “It signifies the eternal primacy of Christ, who existed before all time and even before time itself came into being.” Time is merely a construct; the triune God exists beyond it, sovereign and eternal.

The term archegos carries profound significance. It describes one who “initiates, originates, or leads, founder, or author.” The Lord Jesus Christ, as the archegos, is not only the Creator of all things but also the One who gives life to all living beings. He is the ultimate source of both physical and spiritual life. He is the foundation upon which all creation rests.

Christ as the Creator of All Things

The Gospel of John opens with a powerful declaration of Christ’s role in creation: John 1:1-4:“In the beginning, the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.”

This passage emphasizes that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Word, is both deity and eternal. He is the agent through whom all things were made, and nothing exists apart from His creative power. Paul echoes this truth in Colossians 1:16-17, where he writes: “For through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see . . .. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.”

As Barclay explains, “The Son is the beginning of creation, the end of creation, and the power who holds creation together. He is the creator, the sustainer, and the final goal of the world.” The Lord Jesus Christ is not just the origin of all things; He is the powerful force that sustains and preserves creation, guaranteeing its continuous existence with absolute authority and purpose.

The Giver of Spiritual Life

Jesus Christ stands as the divine Author of life, a title that encompasses far more than the mere act of physical creation. He is the source of eternal life, a beacon of hope that illuminates the path to spiritual rebirth and redemption. With open arms, He invites all who place their faith in Him to experience profound renewal, offering a sanctuary of salvation and a promise of everlasting joy. Through His grace, children of the King embark on a journey that transcends the temporal and touches the infinite.

In John 10:27-29, Jesus declares: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.”

This promise reveals Christ’s authority over life and death, as well as His power to secure the eternal destiny of His followers. Similarly, 1 John 5:20 affirms: “And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.”

Through His death and resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ reconciles humanity to God and grants us the gift of eternal life, ensuring we will never be separated from Him.

Our Responsibility as Children of the King

As believers, recognizing Jesus Christ as the Author of life calls us to live in a way that honors Him. 1 John 5:21 warns: “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.”

This verse reminds us to guard our hearts against idols, anything that competes with God for our devotion. As Warren Wiersbe aptly states, “The thing we serve is the thing we worship. Whatever controls our lives and signals our decisions is our god.”

The Power of His Name

The Gospel of John concludes with a profound statement about the purpose of Christ’s works: John 20:30-31 “The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.”

This passage captures the essence of the Gospel: the Lord Jesus Christ, the Author of life, offers eternal life to everyone who believes in Him. His miraculous acts and teachings are written to inspire faith and guide us into a relationship with the true God.

Insight: A Legacy of Faith

Benjamin Franklin’s life and words remind us of the importance of living with purpose and humility. Like the metaphorical book that Franklin describes, our lives are a work in progress, shaped by the choices we make and the guidance we receive from our Author. By keeping God at the center of our lives, we can ensure that our story reflects faith, hope, and love, a story worth sharing for generations to come.

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© Dr. H 2025