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What is meant by life? The word is very comprehensive, and includes —

1. Appropriate activity.

2. Happiness. The life here intended is

(1)  not natural life;

(2)  not intellectual life;

(3)  but spiritual and eternal life. Christ is our life in that He is —

I. ITS AUTHOR.

1. He saves us from death.

(1)  By His atonement which satisfies the law.

(2)  By delivering us from the power of Satan.

2. He is the author of inward spiritual life. Because —

(1)  He procures for us the gift of the life-giving Spirit. He has redeemed us in order that He might receive the promise of the Spirit.

(2)  He not only merits, but imparts the gift of the Holy Spirit.

II. ITS OBJECT.

1. The exercises in which Christian life consists terminate on Him.

2. The happiness involved consists in fellowship with Him. He is our life as He is our joy, portion, inheritance.

III. ITS END. It is Christ for us to live. While others live for themselves — some for their country, some for mankind — the believer lives for Christ. It is the great design of his life to promote Christ's glory and advance His kingdom. Inferences:

1. Test of character. The difference between the true and nominal Christian lies here. The one seeks and regards Christ as His life only as He delivers from death; the other as the end and object of life.

2. The true way to grow in grace, or to get life, is to come to Christ.

3. The happiness and duty of thus making Christ our life.

(C. Hodge, D. D.)

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KJV: When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

WEB: When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.