February
10, 2003
MORE
ABUNDANT LIVING
"I
have come that they may have life, and that they may have
it more abundantly" (John 10:10, NKJV).
The life
that God shares with us is more abundant because His values
are far superior to the values of Satan and the ways of the
world. Jesus said, "If you want to enter into life, keep
the commandments" (see Matthew 19:16-19; Mark 10:17-19,
Luke 18:18, 19). Again He admonished, "If you love Me,
keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will
give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever--
the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive,--- you
know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will
not leave you orphans; I will come to you" (John 14:15-18).
The reason Christ's followers have the more abundant life
is that Jesus, by His Holy Spirit, dwells with them and is
in them and He shares with us God's values..
Paul
tells us of just a few of the Holy Spirit's blessings and
benefits: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
self-control. Against such [behavior as this] there
is no law. Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh
with its passions and desires" (Galatians 5:22-24). Contrast
the works of the flesh (see Galatians 5:19-21). Is there any
wonder the life of the followers of Jesus is more abundant?
David
constantly testified to his relationship with the Lord, "The
Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want" (Psalms 23:1),
"The Lord is the strength of my life" (Psalms 27:1),
"For with You is the fountain of life" (Psalms 36:9),
"Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow
of Your wings I will rejoice" (Psalms 63:7).
Jesus
came to destroy the works of the devil. "In Him was life,
and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in
the darkness" (John 1:4, 5). Jesus still has the same
life-giving power as when He healed the sick, and spoke forgiveness
to sinners. He "forgives all your iniquities" and
"heals all your diseases." He "redeems your
life from destruction" and "crowns you with lovingkindness
and tender mercies." He "satisfies your mouth with
good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."
He "executes righteousness and justice for all who are
oppressed." He "is merciful and gracious, slow to
anger, and abounding in mercy" (Psalm 103:3-8).
No wonder
His ways are more fulfilling and abundant than the ways of
the unjust and deceived. He is truthful, honest, loving and
kind, and He keeps His promises. He restores hope to the hopeless
and strength to the stricken. He has the power and He exercises
it on behalf of those who put their faith and trust in Him.
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