Friday, April 8, 2022
"I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" John 10:10.
If abundance means affluence, Jesus' words would seem to ring hollow to many people. In fact, if that is His promise, even He did not enjoy it in that He said, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Matthew 8:20). A man without a mortgage promises abundant life.
To better understand Jesus' promise, we must be sure to link both words, "abundant" and "life." Abundance is that which is without measure, and life is life in the absolute sense, as in the life that is our Father. We are, then, being promised immortality in abundance beyond measure. This can only be fully realized at the return of Him who is the Resurrection and the Life, who will grant His people this abundant life at that time.
Future promise can find partial fulfillment in our lives today. Christ's indwelling presence through the medium of Holy Spirit offers us a taste of the abundant life to come. Succinctly stated, it is "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). His inner presence wells up so as to give us a preview experience of what is to come.
As a follower of Christ, I have no regrets concerning the decision to follow Him. It has not always been painless, but it has been abundant in purpose. His family is beyond compare, and my life has been immensely enriched through the journey together with them. Abundant indeed.
As you anticipate the abundant life of the age to come, may you experience abundant joy in your journey today - and every day.
Pastor Steve
"I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" John 10:10.
If abundance means affluence, Jesus' words would seem to ring hollow to many people. In fact, if that is His promise, even He did not enjoy it in that He said, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Matthew 8:20). A man without a mortgage promises abundant life.
To better understand Jesus' promise, we must be sure to link both words, "abundant" and "life." Abundance is that which is without measure, and life is life in the absolute sense, as in the life that is our Father. We are, then, being promised immortality in abundance beyond measure. This can only be fully realized at the return of Him who is the Resurrection and the Life, who will grant His people this abundant life at that time.
Future promise can find partial fulfillment in our lives today. Christ's indwelling presence through the medium of Holy Spirit offers us a taste of the abundant life to come. Succinctly stated, it is "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). His inner presence wells up so as to give us a preview experience of what is to come.
As a follower of Christ, I have no regrets concerning the decision to follow Him. It has not always been painless, but it has been abundant in purpose. His family is beyond compare, and my life has been immensely enriched through the journey together with them. Abundant indeed.
As you anticipate the abundant life of the age to come, may you experience abundant joy in your journey today - and every day.
Pastor Steve