Awake to abundance

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10)

The devil had entered the life of human beings through the disobedience of Adam and Eve. They themselves had welcomed him into their lives. Thus the devil could enter their children and the entire human race. If we look at the history of mankind we see that the devil has destroyed the beautiful life that God had given to human beings. They lost the beautiful Garden of Eden. They lost their confidence in God. They fell short of the glory of God. Due to sin the earth received the great flood and so on and so forth. Above all, man was walking in the shadow of death. The devil was so cunning that he fooled mankind so easily. He comes to steal, kill and destroy.

Man welcomed the devil. Now man had to tell him to go away. But no one was ready to do that, because sin was so attractive. Jesus Christ became man and brought the life of God for us. He conquered over death and taught us to use our authority in His Name to cast out the devil from our lives. The life that Jesus gave us is not an ordinary life. It is life in its abundance. “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became, a life-giving spirit” (1 Corinthians 15:45). That’s the difference between the ordinary life and the life of Jesus. There is not only restoration when you come to Jesus, but there is also abundance.

“For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17)

John 3: 16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, that whosoever believes in him may not perish, but have life and life in abundance” 

AMEN!

What does this “abundant “life mean? Does it endorse the prosperity gospel – that we will have all the health, all the wealth, all the riches and materials we could ask for and even more?

Does it mean that our lives will be filled with happiness of every kind? Does it mean that we will be successful in our work, in our careers, in the world?

AND IF NOT, WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Before we understand the true meaning of abundant life, let us first remember something. That we are all exiles on earth. Our sole purpose of living is to go back to God. For he created us to know him, to love him, to serve him and to be with him for all eternity. Hence our life on earth is just a stopover on a journey destination HEAVEN.

Since God loves us so much, he desires that even our stop over here on earth be as pleasant as possible. Because he loves us, he does not take away our free will from us. So we still have the option to choose good or evil. Hence, there is still rampant evil here on earth. And in the midst of this evil, even though we may choose good, there are times when we suffer.

Even when we love, there are times that we’re hurt. Even when we work hard, when we pray, things always don’t go the way we’d like them to.

SO WHATS ALL THIS ABUNDANT LIFE THEN?

Abundant life here on earth is the promise of a faithful God who never leaves your side. Once we cast our burdens on him, he helps us to get through any and every situation, because his yoke is light.

He doesn’t assure us of storm-less weather, but he assures us that he will never leave us. And if Jesus is truly in our boats, then we need not fear any storm.

After all God is in perfect control of all things.

It is when we learn to surrender more and more of ourselves to God, especially all the things that weigh us down, we will start experiencing abundant life.

Remember, the happiest people are not those who don’t have problems – even they are plagued by worries. But those who despite all problems can smile in all sincerity, knowing their Almighty God loves them, takes care of them and works all things for their good.

Try it today, if you haven’t already. Sincerely give Jesus your problem and see the miraculous way he’ll make you smile through the storm!

Here’s to the abundant life!

PRAYER: Lord you are the Way, the Truth and the Life. Grant me the life in abundance so that my life will be pleasing in your sight. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Clyne Cardoz

HSI Media