This is an article written by Renee Noseworthy, for the summer 2016 edition of “Food For Thought” quarterly newsletter, freely offered by John 6 Ministries, based in Mt. Pearl, NL.
Our perception of ‘Abundant Life’ often differs from Jesus’ meaning, when He said, “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.” (John 10:10 NKJV)
Some people know and accept that Jesus came to Save us. But, many of those same people don’t realize that our Salvation – our reconciliation with God the Father – is just the beginning of the life that Jesus came to give us.
John 3:16 (NKJV) says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” One of the ways that the thief (Satan) steals from us is by making us think that our everlasting [eternal] life doesn’t begin until we take our last breath on this earth.
Eternal life begins the moment we repent and ask Jesus to forgive our sins, and invite Him into our lives as our Lord and Savior. In John 10:10, Jesus tells us an important truth that we should always remember, so that we can live victoriously as He made possible for us through his death and resurrection on Calvary’s Cross.
Jesus Christ and the thief, Satan, have completely opposite motives; Jesus gives to us, and Satan takes away from us.
God’s desire is for His people to be forewarned about the threat that Satan poses to us. In 1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV) God says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
Satan’s activity in our lives is not always easily seen. His schemes are very rarely obvious, and easy to identify. He is very subtle. That’s why he is able to deceive people so effectively at times. We all have some area(s) of weakness that can make us easy prey for Satan’s efforts. He will take advantage of any opportunity, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. He is crafty, and has no regard for what’s right or wrong.
However, in 1 John 4:4b (NKJV), God assures us that we needn’t fear Satan because the Holy Spirit comes to live within us when we become reconciled with God through Jesus Christ. That verse says, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” The Holy Spirit comes to live within us when we become reconciled with God through Jesus Christ.
If we ask Him for healing, freedom, and restoration from the things of the past, He will be faithful to do as we ask. If you think “But, you don’t know what I’ve done. You don’t know what temptations I’ve struggled with and sometimes given into. You don’t know the resentful, bitter, hateful thoughts I have had toward others, or how often I have thought about taking my own life because I feel so worthless. You don’t know the things I have done out of desperation and hopelessness.”
You’re totally right…I don’t know those things, but your heavenly Father knows it all. God knows everything about you. He even knows why you do the things you do. He knows what has happened in your past that has shaped who you are and everything you do. God cares about all those things, and everything that concerns you. He has an amazing plan for your future, in spite of your past.
God is not limited to healing things that are happening in your life today. God is able to restore you from the experiences of the past, so that you can go forward into your future strong, healthy and free from the effects of things past.
Philippians 4:19 (NKJV) confirms for us that God is the complete opposite of Satan. It says, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” This Scripture is not just referring to God’s desire and ability to provide for our physical or material needs, but our spiritual and emotional needs as well.
Only Jesus can forgive our sins, bring healing and restoration to the wounded parts of our lives, and give us acceptance and a new identity as part of God’s family as His sons and daughters. He alone, can give us peace in the midst of life’s turmoil.
Though Jesus Christ working in our lives we can have peace in the midst of any life crisis. He is the reason for us to have hope for the future even when everything around us looks negative, strength to endure untold hardships, and comfort during times of sorrow. In a nutshell, we can trust Jesus to give us everything we need to overcome in every situation.
When we become focused on our circumstances, and life’s trials, we can miss that Jesus came to give us uncommon, extraordinary lives. “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV)
Are you living the abundant life that Jesus Christ came to give you?
