Abundant Jesus

What is the abundant life?

As a young believer I was taught to define “abundant life” as abundance of material possessions. I have to admit that it was comforting to be told that God wanted me to bless me and prosper me. In contrast, much of what I had heard preached from mainline pulpits in this regard didn’t sound like good news to me. So when I heard some Bible teachers talk of a God who wanted to bless and prosper me, supply all my needs and add abundance to my life, it was a welcome message.

Unfortunately in today’s world it is common practice to handle truth, especially in the area of religious faith, as if we were going through a buffet line. I’ll decide what I like, what I hope is true, or what I can wrap my brain around. Then I’ll proceed happily on my way believing that what I hope is true, is true for me.

If we handled physical truth in this way the folly would be obvious. The one who jumped off a cliff for example would not be borne aloft simply because he didn’t believe in gravity. But when dealing with truth that is unseen it's easy to deceive ourselves.

So often when we read the Bible we are unaware of our personal frame of reference. My reading of John 10:10 focused on the word "abundant" but Jesus as it turns out focused on the word "life."

I enjoy the fact that Jesus is always careful to define, and at times redefine the words He uses. As I was meditating on John 10:10 the other day the Spirit began to walk me through some other “life” verses.

"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life." John 6:63

“When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” Col. 3:4

“Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14:6

As we consider the question of defining abundant life we must remember that the one who spoke of abundant life Himself had nowhere to lay his head. He’d left His throne in glory and then called us to come and follow Him.

It also stands to reason that if anyone lived the abundant life, it was the apostle Paul. Yet he was beaten, shipwrecked, imprisoned, stoned and left for dead. Yet Paul laid claim to a vital kingdom building principle: learning contentment whether experiencing material abundance or material lack.

Jesus himself challenged the idea that abundant life was synonymous with material wealth. “Then he (Jesus) said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’” Luke 12:15

So what is the abundant life? You’ve probably figured it out by now. Let’s look at an equation of two profound spiritual truths.

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

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

When you add "I come that they might have abundant life" + "Jesus said He is the life" you discover that Abundant Life = Abundant Jesus.

In my personal experience I’ve found that abundant life is abundant Jesus. Abundant Life is a person, not a material lifestyle. When I apply this truth to my material possessions I find that…

God will bless me with…
…the things that will enable my growth and maturity in Christ (both good and bad).
…the things that will help advance His larger Kingdom agenda.