John 10:10 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.
How can we obtain the “abundant life” that Jesus speaks of?
First, it might help to understand what Jesus meant when He spoke of an abundant life. It’s interesting that in the verse this lesson is based on, Jesus begins by illustrating what an abundant life isn’t, so let’s start our study there.
The Alternative to An Abundant Life
John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…
I wonder if “the thief” Jesus mentions here is an allusion to the devil. Certainly, stealing, killing, and destroying sound like the activities that Satan would be involved in. As the “god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4) the devil has deceived mankind by appealing to our worldly lusts.
The worldly pattern for success in life has everything completely backwards. We are constantly bombarded by the message to “do whatever makes you happy”. The world trains us to selfishly pursue fame, wealth, sex and ignore the pursuit of righteousness and a relationship with God. Then the worldly wonder why the home is broken and society is in such disarray!
We could have everything we think we want in this life – only to wake up and discover that we still feel hollow and empty inside. This isn’t an opinion, this is a sad reality. It’s an endless cycle played out nearly every single time by someone who attains all the world has to offer, and they yet still turn to addiction because they still feel lacking… or they end up losing it all through a gluttonous attempt to attain even more… or they tragically commit suicide to escape the loneliness at “the top”.
If material abundance was what Jesus spoke of, then Solomon should have been the happiest man of all time. However we read that despite having material blessings available to a man, Solomon actually found life to be meaningless.
Ecclesiastes 5:10-15 He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity. When goods increase, They increase who eat them; So what profit have the owners Except to see them with their eyes? The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, Whether he eats little or much; But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep. There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun: Riches kept for their owner to his hurt. But those riches perish through misfortune; When he begets a son, there is nothing in his hand. As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, To go as he came; And he shall take nothing from his labor Which he may carry away in his hand.
No, meaning in life isn’t gained by the pursuit of the things of this world. It’s found by seeking a higher purpose.
Matthew 16:26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
How Do We Attain an Abundant Life?
Thus, we understand that an abundant life is not about the material, but rather spiritual abundance. True fulfillment is found only in a right relationship with God!
So how do we attain an abundant life? It sounds odd and backwards, but one of the first steps involves giving up your life!
Matthew 10:39 …Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.
Lose yourself to Jesus. Turn over your will to Him. Put your faith, your trust in Jesus. Allow God to be the ruler of your life and you will transcend the cares of this world.
Faith, submission to God, turning your life and will over to Christ… These are the first steps in having an abundant life.
Submission and obedience are the culmination of faith. Unfortunately I think a lot of people miss out on the abundant life that Jesus offers because of their failure to submit. To them “submission” and “obedience” are ugly, archaic words. The idea of giving in to someone else puts a sour taste in their mouth; even they have a sincere belief in God. But if we truly have faith in God and seek to please Him, obedience is necessary!
John 14:15 If you love me, keep My commandments
Why are submission and obedience so important to God? And is it really so bad to submit to and obey God?
“Honor thy Father and thy Mother”
Our relationship with God in many ways echoes our relationship with our parents (or perhaps, more accurately, it’s the other way around). It’s little wonder then that God calls for us to honor our parents time and again throughout the Bible. This instruction is one of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:12). Jesus reiterated this command in the Gospels (Matthew 15:3-5). What does commandment have to do with living an abundant life?
Paul explains in Ephesians.
Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”
Let us assume that all parents either were committed to the Lord or – at the very least – had their children’s best interest in mind through the course of their raising. We know that this is not always the case, but let’s pretend that it is so we can see the wisdom of following God’s pattern.
Parents wish their children well. They want them to be safe, successful, and happy in life. Parents do not seek to harm their children in any way nor hinder their happiness, although children do not always see it this way.
Parents direct their children in what to do and what not to do. Whether it’s “look both ways before you cross the street” or “don’t hang out with that group of people”, parents seek to spare children the despair, harm, and consequences of bad choices. Parents have typically lived long enough that they have gained wisdom from experience and seek to pass on this knowledge to their children.
Isn’t that similar to the relationship between God and mankind? We’re familiar with the phrases “Mother knows best” and “Father knows best”. If our earthly parents are wise in their instruction, then how much more is our Heavenly Father?
God’s Commandments are for Our Own Good
In discussing appropriate principles of the marriage relationship, Paul said the following…
1 Corinthians 7:35 …And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper…
Whether it’s proper conduct in marriage or any other commandment given to us in the Bible, unfortunately so much of mankind fail to recognize that God’s instructions are for our own good. Instead, they indeed see it as a leash. To them, the Bible is a nothing but a bunch of thou shalt not’s. They see God’s Law as a long list of restrictions.
Deuteronomy 10:12-13 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good?
Indeed, some of God’s commandments may require self-denial on our part. But in the long-run we discover that they have been for our very best all along. He didn’t give us these commands to burden or harm us, but rather to help us. It’s when we disregard or rebel against God’s commands that we experience the consequences. The sooner we realize this, the better chance we have at having a fulfilling life (Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:14).
Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Accept my teachings and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your lives. The burden that I ask you to accept is easy; the load I give you to carry is light.
Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Being Content
We have already established that an abundant life isn’t a life spent in pursuit of the material. Therefore, whatever our lot is in life, we need to learn to be content with what we have.
Think back to the example of Solomon from the beginning of this lesson and compare his mindset to that of the Apostle Paul. Solomon had everything on a silver platter, yet felt unfulfilled while Paul, despite his life of hardship learned the value of contentedness.
Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
Isn’t that the kind of attitude we need to have to live the abundant life that Christ offered?
A recent global statistic shows that if one has a roof over his head and a meal on his table he is richer than 93 percent of the world’s population. If a person wears a pair of shoes he is richer than 75 percent of the people in the world. And yet in the United States credit card debt averages more than $16,000 per household… and yet the discontentment never seems to be satisfied! We should always consider and be thankful for how blessed we truly are!
“We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather recognizing and appreciating what we do have.” – Friedrich Koenig
1 Timothy 6:6-8 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
Aside from forfeiting the constant desire for more, there is much to be said about the contentment that comes from being free from worry. We’ve all experienced stress from jobs or various situations beyond our control. And yet, in trusting God, we can turn our worries and cares over to Him.
1 Peter 5:6-7 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
Believers have a great advantage over unbelievers. We can put our trust and confidence in God – and while their lives may not be completely worry-free – we have direct access Almighty Creator. Surely we can rest assured know that He will care for us and that in the end everything will work out!
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Serving God through Serving Others
Matthew 23:11-12 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
In a roundabout way, mankind has created its own morality. It’s sad and ironic that society looks down on and disparages Christianity, yet embrace so many of Christ’s teachings despite attempting to bypass Christ Himself. Even these unbelievers have come to recognize the psychological and emotional benefits of helping others. Contributing rather than consuming: Giving time, money, and energy to charitable causes is a fulfilling act that gives purpose to life.
But to the Christian, we recognize that in serving others there is an even deeper meaning.
Matthew 22:36-40 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Through serving others, we our fulfilling our God-given purpose! In showing love to our neighbors we are introducing them to Christ! The abundant life is about lifting others up, supplying their needs and thereby emulating the example that Jesus set.
Matthew 20:28 …Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
Living Redeemed
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.
While this verse applies to eternal death and eternal death, I think it is appropriate to apply it to life on this Earth. Sin is a heavy burden to bear. Who would want to go through life having to bear the guilt and regret of past mistakes? Thankfully, Christ offers us an out, a chance to be forgiven and go forward with a clear conscience.
Hebrews 9:14 …How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
So many people live life looking backward and dwelling on past mistakes, but if God forgives us we can forgive ourselves. And if God forgives us, that’s really all that matters. Once again, we can move forward in life with the assurance that God is on our side; if that’s the case, then who could be against us?
Romans 8:31-39 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
What a blessing it is to be forgiven by God and have a second chance at life!
Psalm 32:1-5 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Heavenly Hope
Another major advantage that believers have over unbelievers is the assurance of a home in Heaven with Jesus.
John 14:1-4 Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.
We know that this life is short and that whatever hardships we may face are temporary. When this life is over we will linger on. Though we ultimately aspire to a home in heaven, we can enjoy the blessing of living that abundant life in the meantime!
Acts 3:19 Repent then and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.
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References:
https://www.gotquestions.org/abundant-life.html
https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-contentment.html
https://www.gotquestions.org/abundant-life.html
https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-contentment.html
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