The Way I See It, A Pastor’s Perspective
The Abundant life
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
John 10:10 NASB
Have you ever considered that Jesus wasn’t speaking of Eternal Life in that verse, but of an abundant life while here on Earth? Have you looked at that verse in comparison to your own life? Would you say you are living life abundantly? Is your life filled the abundant riches of God’s mercy, favor and love?
Or is your life one that is filled with an abundance of trials, torment, and stress? If we have surrendered our life to the Lord, then the first part of that verse is what we all experience as the thief, Satan, is bent on killing, stealing from you, and trying to destroy you. But Jesus didn’t lie when He offered the promise of abundant living in spite of an enemy of destruction!
So how does one transform from a life filled with torment, sorrow and frustration, to a life filled with love, joy and peace? Those attributes are but a few of the fruits of the Spirit Paul mentioned in Galatians 5. And therein lies the key. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit of God working in you, that you can achieve the abundant life. Every born again child of God can have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them, as we are promised Him in the Word (John 14:16). But there is a difference in having the Holy Spirit promised to you, and actually walking with Him through everyday struggles.
Jesus called Him the Comforter. (yes He is a person, the third Person of the Trinity). He also said the Holy Spirit would bring to remembrance all the things Jesus said and that He would guide you in truth.
That is the secret to having an abundant life! It is allowing the Holy Spirit to communicate the promises of God to your heart. It is allowing Him to remind you of promises of Hope and of Deliverance in the midst of the storm. And it is BELIEVING those promises! It is listening to Him speak down in your spirit and being obedient to respond. It is walking in the trust that He really will bring you through the trials you are encountering. It is walking daily with Him knowing He will not leave you alone and that He will give you peace and comfort.
He is always there folks. But He is gentle and easily grieved. You must strive to be obedient to His voice and to be aware of His prompting. There is no more miserable a life than the one where the Holy Spirit is silent because the heart in which He dwells is hardened and filled with bitterness and unforgiveness. To walk in the power of the Holy Spirit is to walk with an open heart; one with an attitude of forgiveness and of love. To walk in that power is to also have studied the Word of God, searching for promises given you, so He can remind you of those promises at a time when you need them most! And it is listening to Him and saying “Yes Lord” in all that He prompts you to do.
And that’s the way I see it!
Michael Upchurch
Chaplain, Team RFC
Racers For Christ
