Article 23 – August 20, 2018 –
Pursuing a More Abundant Life
Jesus Christ said in John 10:10b that he came that we might have a life that is more than abundant. That sounds like a pretty good deal to me. I’m constantly seeing around me people who are pursuing various physical avenues in light of improving their lives, but so often, it’s just to make them look better. To look good could be important to a lot of people. What Jesus Christ had in mind, however, was to live an abundant life spiritually. For those of us who are interested in the things of the spirit, we want to be what’s been termed as “Professional Believers.” That means being serious about it on a full-time basis.
To the serious Bible student, walking in a godly manner takes an introduction to the Scriptures, and from there on, a day by day process of study, instruction and application. It’s done in the secular world all the time in whatever topic one would wish to choose.
Again, in John 10:10, Jesus said: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” The ‘they’ in this verse is referring to God’s people. Jesus Christ lived the more abundant life and it took him a long time to prepare himself to do what he knew he had to do. He started preparing himself early enough in life that at the age of 12 years he was able to mix and converse with the scholars of his time.
Luke 2:46 “And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.”
2 Timothy 2:15 tells us: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” As serious students of the Bible, this is our responsibility in this day and time. We are to study God’s Word to get ourselves out of the infant stage of Christianity and to the point where we can discipline ourselves to walk in love regularly and seek to operate all the workings of the spirit (manifestations) as they are called in 1 Corinthians 12:7-10.
It’s absolutely necessary for people to see and decide for themselves that the Bible is the revealed Word and Will of God. Our world does not endorse the things of the true God and Father of our Lord and Savor Jesus Christ. It endorses a very negative environment: an environment ruled by what 2 Corinthians 4:4 refers to as the “god of this world”. The devil, the god of this world, does not want Christians to live a more abundant life. His very nature is to steal, kill and destroy, and if you don’t want to get caught up in his spiritual rampage, it’s going to take some instruction, learning and acting to find out how to deal with that.
To learn how to live and to see things spiritually is the greatest classroom of life, and if you take it seriously you’ll find out it’s the most important. Money and the things from the financial field are factors in life and having them can relieve many areas of stress from the physical side. However, to have a sane mind and to know how to communicate with the creator of the heavens and the earth and to know how to operate the power He made available to every Christian believer, is a journey that I do not have the words to describe. You just have to get involved and see for yourself.
Ephesians 1:17-19 tells us: “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,”
This section of scripture actually doesn’t stop until three more verse ahead, but it lays out a bit of the Christian’s walk in three verses that should stop you in your tracks. I can’t imagine anybody who would not want to have that kind of power in their lives. It is available to hear from our heavenly Father and to be able to perform the works that Jesus Christ did. He did what he had to do so we could do that and more as well. We just have to realize it and then be willing to put in the work in our lives to bring it to pass.
God can’t act unless we act and that’s highly emphasized as we work the Scriptures to show ourselves approved unto God. We have to believe that we “Can Do” and then all we have to do is do it. It sounds easy, and actually it is, although the adversary will try to make you think it’s difficult. That’s just a trick! 2 Peter 1:3 tells us: “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:” “All things” means all aspects of life. So if you want to know about the fullness of salvation, how to believe to pray more effectually, how to get rid of your fears, the greatness of the return of Christ and all that is encompassed there, you’ve got to come to God’s Word. You’re going to need to be taught and that is the purpose of men and women of God.
In Acts 8:30 and 31, Philip asked the Ethiopian eunuch, “…Understandest thou what thou readest?” “And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me?”
There are many teachers to choose from, so choose your teacher wisely. That’s easier said than done, but that’s your choice. There are wonderful believers out there who can teach you God’s Word and show you the more abundant life.
Funglimpses and all. Thanks for reading! Respectfully submitted, Will Grove