The Abundant Life

Never say that Jesus does not want us to have an abundant life. This is not at all why I object to the proclamations of the so-called prosperity preachers. Its just that they don't seem to realize what the abundant life is all about. Lets go to the words of Jesus Himself.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. - Jhn 10:10-11 ESV

What life is Jesus talking about? It appears that in the days Jesus walked about teaching and healing lots of folks were interested in something called eternal life. Take the young theologian who asked, "Rabbi, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

Jesus responded by asking the young man what was written in the Torah.

He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself" (cf. Deut. 6:5; Lev. 19:18).

Jesus told him he had answered correctly and added, "Do this, and you will live."

With the tables turned back upon him, the young theological expert began to feel a bit guilty. You can even hear him starting to stutter as he asks, "Uh, and who is my neighbor?"

This gave Jesus the opportunity to tell the well known story of the good Samaritan who showed mercy to a Jewish man, robbed, beaten and thrown into the ditch on the way down from Jerusalem to Jericho. The story hit home and the young teacher was forced to admit that the hated Samaritan was the one who showed mercy. So in answer to the previous question Jesus simply said, "Go and do likewise" (Luke 10:25-37).

There is a very special quality to this life that Jesus points to. For one thing it is eternal. It will not end, because it is a life completely tuned to the LORD God. The one with such life is emotionally, spiritually and intellectually bonded to the LORD. His only thought, word and desire is to submit to this God and obey Him. He is of one mind, one heart and one soul with his eternal Creator. As a result, his Creator's life fills him and he too has eternal life. Further, he loves those around him, as does the Creator. This living one is equally as concerned about the well-being of his neighbor as he is about himself. This is his life!

Know anyone like that? I certainly do not. In fact there has been but one who lived such a life. His name is Jesus! He came into this world so that we who do not in fact have life, might indeed gain it—through Him! As He said, "I come that they may have life and have it abundantly."

Jesus made an end to the judgment resting upon us all because of our failures to live the life of God. He was the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep. We who embrace and accept that wondrous personal sacrifice receive, in turn, life abundant. This life of God is within us who believe. It is a never-ending gift of God's Spirit. And it never stops. It is like an endless, bubbling, flowing stream, ever and always pouring into us. In our hearts we always hear our Father telling us that we are forgiven, redeemed and rescued from judgment. As a result this life overflows from us with praise and thanksgiving to God and love, care and concern for others. This is the life that Jesus alone brings. And we who live and believe in Him will never die, even though these earthly bodies must be put aside so that we may be clothed again with eternal bodies like His.

As Jesus explained to the two grieving sisters,

"I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" - Jhn 11:25-26 ESV

This is the abundant life. It has to do with a life filled with love for God and for our neighbors. It has nothing to do with how many possessions, land, bank accounts, fancy houses and cars, jewels and fine wines you have. It is the fool who makes this the aim of his life. Jesus speaks pointedly about such foolishness.

And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." - Luk 12:15 ESV

Let Joel Osteen and all like him learn these lessons and let those among us who are drawn to their empty words run as do sheep who recognize wolves, thieves and robbers who come only to steal, kill, devour and destroy (John 10:7-15).