Abundant Life
January 5, 2016
John 10:10 I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly
What is abundant life? I have been asking that question of folks over the last several weeks. I got all kinds of responses. Some people couldn’t exactly explain what it was but they felt like they knew what it was not. Abundant life is not something bigger, better, faster, or more of what you have now. It is not some possession that you don’t have, some success you have yet to achieve, some position you have yet to attain, or more money than you have now. It is not some place you have not been yet. It is not a perfect life, a charmed life or a pain-free life. It is not a life of comfort and ease. It is not dependent on your circumstances. Okay, if that is what it is not, then what is it? Abundant life is the security of knowing you are unconditionally loved; peace and joy in spite of pain and problems; a life of contentment where you are; a life with meaning and purpose; a life freed of the things that are bad for us like selfishness, greed, jealousy, hatred, despair and anger; and a life filled with the stuff that money can’t buy and that only God gives like peace, patience, joy, love, self control, gentleness, kindness, and goodness. It is living with the confidence that God is faithful and his promises are sure. Abundant life is having peace with God. Until you make peace with God you can’t have the peace of God. Abundant life is more of Jesus and less of you. Abundant life is a gift that God wants to give you. Open your heart to him.
What is abundant life? I have been asking that question of folks over the last several weeks. I got all kinds of responses. Some people couldn’t exactly explain what it was but they felt like they knew what it was not. Abundant life is not something bigger, better, faster, or more of what you have now. It is not some possession that you don’t have, some success you have yet to achieve, some position you have yet to attain, or more money than you have now. It is not some place you have not been yet. It is not a perfect life, a charmed life or a pain-free life. It is not a life of comfort and ease. It is not dependent on your circumstances. Okay, if that is what it is not, then what is it? Abundant life is the security of knowing you are unconditionally loved; peace and joy in spite of pain and problems; a life of contentment where you are; a life with meaning and purpose; a life freed of the things that are bad for us like selfishness, greed, jealousy, hatred, despair and anger; and a life filled with the stuff that money can’t buy and that only God gives like peace, patience, joy, love, self control, gentleness, kindness, and goodness. It is living with the confidence that God is faithful and his promises are sure. Abundant life is having peace with God. Until you make peace with God you can’t have the peace of God. Abundant life is more of Jesus and less of you. Abundant life is a gift that God wants to give you. Open your heart to him.