Measuring Abundant Life in Christ

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” -John 10:10.

The benefits of the Christian life are hard to measure; in certain ways they're as vast as the God who bestows them (1 Corinthians 2:9). Even so, the best, most valuable of these benefits are eternal, spiritual, and physically intangible, but this isn't enough for many in the materialistic world of today; yet it IS the essence of faith (Hebrews 11:1).

The opening verse from John 10:10 is a familiar & beloved verse for many, but the problem is that usually only the second half of this verse gets focused upon, and it's often misused to promote the idea of material prosperity as a reward of the Christian life. It's presented this way to please Sunday Christians about their faith, and used to lure the unsaved toward receiving Jesus; which can only happen in pretense under this format (2 Timothy 4:2-4).

But to “have life more abundantly” could mean different things, so we need to know what it is in GOD'S eyes, not assuming that it's whatever we want it to be; as usual, the Bible will give us the true answers we're seeking;

“It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” -Matthew 4:4. -Bold type added to emphasize.

“16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” -2 Timothy 3:16,17. Bold type was added.

Remember that God is a supplier of NEED, and not greed (scriptures below); but mistakes about expecting to receive earthly treasure come by isolating certain verses or phrases from the passage they're a part of, while ignoring areas of scripture that oppose; and false teachers find receptive audiences when preaching messages of prosperity; but God's Word has a lot to say about His regard for material riches.

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:19

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” -Matthew 6:33.

The Bible's message is simply to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; then the Lord will provide everything that we truly need, and He wants us to be CONTENT with His provision. Paul's writing from Philippians 4:11-13 shows this, saying,

“11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

First Timothy 6:6-8 also affirms this leaning, saying;

“But 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 raiment let us be therewith content.”

You may notice a focus on God supplying our needs of food and clothing, and that's because individual needs vary, but food & clothing are common to all; Philippians 4:19 promises to supply all.

This same passage from 1 Timothy 6 then continues further by warning us more directly about riches, and says in verses 6:9-12;

“9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” Bold type adds emphasis.

Jesus also taught plainly that we cannot serve God and mammon (money or material wealth), it isn't possible; and we should seek to lay up a lasting treasure in heaven instead, for the rich already have their reward now.

“20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God...24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.” -Luke 6:20&24.

“19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also...24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:19-21,24. Bold type added to emphasize hope!

Jesus also said that riches choke the Word in the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:22); that we must forsake all to follow Him (Luke 14:33); and that after we have obeyed God, we should call ourselves unprofitable servants, for it's our duty (Luke 17:10). And in the well known account of the Rich Young Ruler, Jesus is quoted 7 times that it's nearly impossible for the rich to be saved; so if Jesus gave all these warnings about material wealth, why should we think His phrase “life more abundantly” in John 10:10 includes it? Why would Jesus reward us with what He's warned against, and will tend to keep pulling us away from Him (Mark 3:24)?

“23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” -Mark 10:23-25; see also Matthew 19:23,24, and Luke 18:24,25.

Scripture tells us that in the Last Days false teachers will arise, teaching heresies based upon covetousness (2 Peter 2:1-3,17-21); our way of escaping these deceptions rests in the study of God's Word, and thereby learning to correctly apply the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15) as the foundation for our spiritual house.

Abundance for believers is forgiveness, peace, rest for our souls, and a prayer-hearing God who provides for all our needs; on earth, we are unprofitable servants, but our reward in Heaven is sure; secure in the hands of Jesus.

“24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” -Matthew 7:24,25.

“28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” -Matthew 11:28-30.

Please also check out my short YouTube videos titled Life More Abundantly: John 10:10 and God's Promised Abundance.

When Seeing isn't Believing

“By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.” -Hebrews 11:27. Bold type added.

Christianity is strange; did you know the Bible refers to believers as peculiar six times? These accounts are in Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 14:2 & 26:18, Psalm 135:4, Titus 2:14, and 1 Peter 2:9.

But the world also commonly says that “seeing is believing,” while the BIBLE tells us;

“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” -2 Corinthians 4:18. “...: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” -from John 20:29.

“(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)” -2 Corinthians 5:7.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” -Hebrews 11:1.

So it's natural for Christian faith to embrace the unseen, but sometimes those we witness to may respond by saying, “I don't believe in God;” and then if we press them for WHY they don't, many quickly fall back on the answer that it's because they've never seen Him. I've found this to be a pretty common, shallow, and thoughtless response; but the purpose of this message is to help you when facing that “I've never seen Him” line of reasoning.

The excuse of invisibility isn't a genuine reason to disbelieve God's existence, and we all know of many invisible things that are very real; things like Wifi transmissions, love, oxygen, hot and cold, wind, or XRAYS; those giving us the xrays know they're real, and they hide behind lead for safety during the process! Just because a thing is unseen doesn't make it non-existent.

But above all of these down-to-earth examples, God never claims you should be able to see Him; the God of the Bible proclaims himself to be invisible numerous times;

“Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” -1Timothy 1:17. Bold type added.

“13 ...his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God...” -from Colossians 1:13-15. Bold type added.

“No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.” -1 John 4:12. Bold type added for emphasis.

So God tells us plainly in 1 John 4:12 that we know no man has seen God at any time, and thus we take it that if scripture says the Lord “appeared” to someone, it was in a form they could receive. Jesus epitomized this type of “appearance,” as is recorded in John 14:8&9;

8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father...”

No one was closer to God than Moses, yet even his flesh couldn't withstand the full presence of the Lord; with this from their interaction in Exodus 33:18-23, when Moses asked to see God's glory;

“And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. 19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee...20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. 21 And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: 22 And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: 23 And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.” Bold type is added.

Yet we don't need to see God to know that He exists, because creation itself testifies there is a creator, just like we know that every building had a builder, whether or not we know them personally, or saw it done. In the early 19^th century William Paley gave the analogy of The Watch and the Watchmaker as a simple proof for the existence of God, and I'll leave a connection for it here. We know logically that NOTHING cannot produce anything, neither can lifelessness produce life, yet that's exactly what needed to happen if there were no all powerful, intelligent designer. In other words, the existence of God should be obvious, and the Bible affirms this in Romans 1:20; part of a larger prophecy of a time when men will be denying God's existence, with this from Romans 1:18-23;

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”

It seems to me that many give up on the notion of God from becoming desensitized to the greatness of creation, being inundated with exposure to it all of our lives; we accept the existence of things without considering what it took to produce it.

We as believers ought to be ready for the responses of a godless world, challenging them to take another look at the greatness of creation which surrounds us, and then taking time to reconsider their points of view. This may be a needed first step for some, one that hopefully leads them into making a U-turn in the direction of Jesus Christ.

“For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.” -Acts 17:23.

“10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” -Acts 4:10-12.

Please also check out my YouTube videos that I did on this subject at https://youtu.be/ZB7HPJj1y8Q and https://youtube.com/shorts/y34p9AIgLU0?feature=share