Who wouldn't want to live abundantly? Our lives are often immersed in the mundane and routine. I fear we seldom answer the question, "How are you today?" with "Living abundantly!". Yet that is a promise given by our Lord and Messiah, Jesus. John 10:10 records our Lord's words, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I
have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." We are promised a more abundant life. So why doesn't it feel all that abundant at times? Life often feels stressful, confusing, dull, even disappointing. Where is this abundance Jesus offered? Maybe I am misunderstanding the word. The Greek word is, perissos,and it means, exceeding some number or measure or need, over and above, more than is necessary, exceeding abundantly, supremely, superior, extraordinary, surpassing, uncommon, more remarkable, more excellent. I would say that is pretty much anything I could have imagined as abundant. Perhaps our problem is with the words, "may have", in verse 10. Perhaps there is some sort of catch in realizing this abundant, extraordinary, uncommon, more excellent life Jesus speaks of.
The Greek word translated, "may or might", is echÅ. It is a present subjunctive verb. It means "have" however, the subjunctive mood tells us this is something available yet must be applied or have certain conditions met. The promised abundant life does not just happen. There are qualifications to be met. The Lord has made abundant life available; however, it is our responsibility to see it become a reality in our lives. Not to be harsh, but, if you feel you are missing out on the abundant life you have no one to blame but yourself. This leaves us with the question, "How do I acquire or apply this abundance to my life?" It may be more simple than you might think. Perhaps, it might be well to consider the things that rob us of this promised abundance.
Stressful situations can be very draining. An angry boss or disconnected management making unreasonable demands. The loss of a job, a loved one, or disruption in our homes may keep this abundant life out of reach. Maybe you or someone close to you is diagnosed with cancer or some other horrific disease. Almost anything that comes into our lives that is out of our control can leave us feeling vulnerable, distraught, angry, abandoned or any number of other damaging emotions. We may be the innocent party even the victim of so many things that accompany life. They are very real and often very painful. How can we overcome such assaults and know the life Jesus promised? The enemy truly does want to rob you of peace and hope. He wants to kill your drive for purity, your reputation, your dreams and a dozen other things you hold dear. He wants to destroy you so you feel useless, worthless or even feeling you have no reason to live. None can escape his oppressive attack on our lives and spirits. However, he does not have to win.
I offer a verse, a passage, and a plan to escape all of this and know that promised life of abundance. First, never forget 1 John 4:4, "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." As God's children we hold the reality of His promises. The enemy is not as strong as our Heavenly Father. We are to be victors, not victims. This also means we have the ability to produce the fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22 & 23. When we consider all of the attacks leveled at us they all have one thing in common. They draw our focus to ourselves. We lose sight of much of what surrounds us. The issues are real and need to be dealt with; however, they do not need to control or overwhelm us. He is greater, remember? The tool I offer is I Corinthians 13. Often called the "love chapter". The chapter contains a fairly comprehensive list of actions that emulate God's love. They are all within our capabilities should we choose to act upon them. We can choose to be patient, kind, to not envy, not brag, or be arrogant. You do not have to be rude, or selfish or angry. Do not dwell on the evil and lies that permeate this world, rather rejoice in God's truth. If we are honest we do not have to react, we can put up with most anything, live out that confident hope and endure. Be gentle, faithful, humble and self-controlled. Quite a list but it is one we can choose to do.
When you wake up tomorrow, no matter what your circumstances, you can choose to live out love and the fruit of the Spirit this day. If you can't remember the lists, put them on a card next to your bed and read it before you get up. Agree with God to live that way today. Be kind to the associate who sells you your coffee. Choose to be patent with other drivers. Say something friendly and encouraging to a co-worker. Excuse the arrogance of your manager and instead, pray for them. You do have the power to be selfless and self controlled as you give someone else that parking space. You can smile and be kind and pleasant to the other shopper in the check out line. If you begin to actively live out a Biblical 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love, abundance will flow into your life. No one can make you angry or irritated, or impatient, or bitter. You both choose that response and in reality give the irritant power over you to destroy your mood and day. Why would we want to give others power over us when we have the option of living out the power of the Spirit in us?
Easy? No. But how much do you want to experience the abundant life? Life's circumstances cannot keep you from being kind, gentle, patient, encouraging, and selfless. Such behavior does bring joy, and God's overshadowing grace. Why not give it a try? What have you got to lose? You might end up defeating the ones out to rob, kill, and destroy your attitude and day. Instead you just might replace it with the Lord's promised abundance. A much better alternative.
The Greek word translated, "may or might", is echÅ. It is a present subjunctive verb. It means "have" however, the subjunctive mood tells us this is something available yet must be applied or have certain conditions met. The promised abundant life does not just happen. There are qualifications to be met. The Lord has made abundant life available; however, it is our responsibility to see it become a reality in our lives. Not to be harsh, but, if you feel you are missing out on the abundant life you have no one to blame but yourself. This leaves us with the question, "How do I acquire or apply this abundance to my life?" It may be more simple than you might think. Perhaps, it might be well to consider the things that rob us of this promised abundance.
Stressful situations can be very draining. An angry boss or disconnected management making unreasonable demands. The loss of a job, a loved one, or disruption in our homes may keep this abundant life out of reach. Maybe you or someone close to you is diagnosed with cancer or some other horrific disease. Almost anything that comes into our lives that is out of our control can leave us feeling vulnerable, distraught, angry, abandoned or any number of other damaging emotions. We may be the innocent party even the victim of so many things that accompany life. They are very real and often very painful. How can we overcome such assaults and know the life Jesus promised? The enemy truly does want to rob you of peace and hope. He wants to kill your drive for purity, your reputation, your dreams and a dozen other things you hold dear. He wants to destroy you so you feel useless, worthless or even feeling you have no reason to live. None can escape his oppressive attack on our lives and spirits. However, he does not have to win.
I offer a verse, a passage, and a plan to escape all of this and know that promised life of abundance. First, never forget 1 John 4:4, "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." As God's children we hold the reality of His promises. The enemy is not as strong as our Heavenly Father. We are to be victors, not victims. This also means we have the ability to produce the fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22 & 23. When we consider all of the attacks leveled at us they all have one thing in common. They draw our focus to ourselves. We lose sight of much of what surrounds us. The issues are real and need to be dealt with; however, they do not need to control or overwhelm us. He is greater, remember? The tool I offer is I Corinthians 13. Often called the "love chapter". The chapter contains a fairly comprehensive list of actions that emulate God's love. They are all within our capabilities should we choose to act upon them. We can choose to be patient, kind, to not envy, not brag, or be arrogant. You do not have to be rude, or selfish or angry. Do not dwell on the evil and lies that permeate this world, rather rejoice in God's truth. If we are honest we do not have to react, we can put up with most anything, live out that confident hope and endure. Be gentle, faithful, humble and self-controlled. Quite a list but it is one we can choose to do.
When you wake up tomorrow, no matter what your circumstances, you can choose to live out love and the fruit of the Spirit this day. If you can't remember the lists, put them on a card next to your bed and read it before you get up. Agree with God to live that way today. Be kind to the associate who sells you your coffee. Choose to be patent with other drivers. Say something friendly and encouraging to a co-worker. Excuse the arrogance of your manager and instead, pray for them. You do have the power to be selfless and self controlled as you give someone else that parking space. You can smile and be kind and pleasant to the other shopper in the check out line. If you begin to actively live out a Biblical 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love, abundance will flow into your life. No one can make you angry or irritated, or impatient, or bitter. You both choose that response and in reality give the irritant power over you to destroy your mood and day. Why would we want to give others power over us when we have the option of living out the power of the Spirit in us?
Easy? No. But how much do you want to experience the abundant life? Life's circumstances cannot keep you from being kind, gentle, patient, encouraging, and selfless. Such behavior does bring joy, and God's overshadowing grace. Why not give it a try? What have you got to lose? You might end up defeating the ones out to rob, kill, and destroy your attitude and day. Instead you just might replace it with the Lord's promised abundance. A much better alternative.
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