ENJOYING THE ABUNDANT LIFE
Many followers of Jesus are totally missing out on the enjoyment of the abundant life, and most all of us go through periods of time where we are not dialed in. It is therefore good to look at a few Scriptures on the subject. I recommend that you read Romans 8:1-11 and II Corinthians 5:14-21 before continuing. www.biblegateway.com is a good place to read the Scriptures online. For most of my postings I use the New King James Version.
“Then Jesus said to them again, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 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. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep’” (John 10:7-11).
Let’s notice that Jesus is once again claiming that He is absolutely necessary for salvation. The wonderful news is that Jesus desires to give us life and not just life, but a more abundant life. Oh and don’t forget that life is also eternal life (John 3:16).
Romans 8 tells us that “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Those who are believers in Jesus are free from the penalties of sin! God has declared them to be innocent because of what Jesus has done. It stands to reason that since God has not condemned us that we should not condemn ourselves. This being said, Romans 8 continues to tell us that the flesh cannot please God. The reality is that only God the Father’s children can please the Father. Those who refuse Him cannot please Him. Those who are “in Christ” should walk in the Spirit we have been given knowing that in the Spirit we can and do please God.
II Corinthians 5 states that the followers of Jesus are “new creations”. We are not defined by our past, but by our place of newness in Christ. Because of this we can have confidence in God’s ability and desire to work in us and through us in the “ministry of reconciliation”.
In summary verse 15 of the same chapter states, “and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” The abundant life is the life that is lived for Jesus. If your definition of an abundant life is different than that you may seek, but you will not enjoy the abundant life. Even now Jesus holds out the offer of the abundant life for those who do not know Him to by faith believe in Him. And for those of us who are already His, Jesus desires that today we would fully participate in the abundant life, the life free of condemnation, the life that shares in the ministry of reconciliation with Him! May God work in your heart according to your need.
Author unknown
“Then Jesus said to them again, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 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. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep’” (John 10:7-11).
Let’s notice that Jesus is once again claiming that He is absolutely necessary for salvation. The wonderful news is that Jesus desires to give us life and not just life, but a more abundant life. Oh and don’t forget that life is also eternal life (John 3:16).
Romans 8 tells us that “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Those who are believers in Jesus are free from the penalties of sin! God has declared them to be innocent because of what Jesus has done. It stands to reason that since God has not condemned us that we should not condemn ourselves. This being said, Romans 8 continues to tell us that the flesh cannot please God. The reality is that only God the Father’s children can please the Father. Those who refuse Him cannot please Him. Those who are “in Christ” should walk in the Spirit we have been given knowing that in the Spirit we can and do please God.
II Corinthians 5 states that the followers of Jesus are “new creations”. We are not defined by our past, but by our place of newness in Christ. Because of this we can have confidence in God’s ability and desire to work in us and through us in the “ministry of reconciliation”.
In summary verse 15 of the same chapter states, “and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” The abundant life is the life that is lived for Jesus. If your definition of an abundant life is different than that you may seek, but you will not enjoy the abundant life. Even now Jesus holds out the offer of the abundant life for those who do not know Him to by faith believe in Him. And for those of us who are already His, Jesus desires that today we would fully participate in the abundant life, the life free of condemnation, the life that shares in the ministry of reconciliation with Him! May God work in your heart according to your need.
Author unknown
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