Abundant Life

January 16, 2008

Abundant Life:

John 10:10 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.

What is life more abundant? Is it a life of spiritual blessing? Is it a life of joy? Is it a life of material blessings? Is it all of these? To learn anything, one must let the Bible define itself… so what does the Bible say of this word Abundant?

Abundantly - From G4012 (in the sense of beyond); superabundant (in quantity) or superior (in quality); by implication excessive; adverb (with G1537) violently; neuter (as noun) preeminence:—exceeding abundantly above, more abundantly, advantage, exceedingly, very highly, beyond measure, more, superfluous, vehement [-ly].

Abundant - Comparative of G4053; more superabundant (in number, degree or character):—more abundant, greater (much) more, overmuch.

This doesn't tell us in what way it will be abundant, but it tells us that it's going to be AMAZING! This is a life that is something to talk about! Something to shout from the rooftops. Something that is so fabulous that we just have to share our secret with others because it's the best lifestyle available. Look at those describing words of our Christ-following life; would you say that you are living a life beyond measure? A life of advantage? A superfluous exceedingly vehement and excessively preeminent lifestyle? ;0) A life that is greater than all those around you who do not know the Saviour? Well, you should be living one just like that, because that's what Christ came to give you.

Now, lets look at some of the ways that abundant and abundantly are used in Scripture.

Food and other Material goods:

I Chron 12:40 Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel.

II Chron 31:5 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.

Ps. 36:8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

Ps. 132 :15 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

Song of Songs 5:1 I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.

The first two were just using the word abundantly in a way that defined it nicely, but the last three are speaking of the Christian, the house of Israel, and the bride of Christ. Apparently he wants us to be satisfied abundantly, and drink abundantly (also satisfied)

Forgiveness/Salvation:

Is. 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Titus 3:5-6 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

I Tim. 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Of course Jesus was incredibly abundant in all that he did upon the cross for us!

Other:

Eph. 3:20-21 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Ex. 34:6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

Phil. 1:26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

Our rejoicing in Him is to be abundant, and everything that Jesus does for us is abundant, and His goodness to us is abundant, and His truth is abundant!

So…What is this abundant life? Sounds like it's a life that is focused around Christ, first of all, as it is He who came to give it to us, and it is salvation that is the very beginning of it. His grace, his forgiveness and his mercy are the abundant foundations of our abundant living. From there is the well spring of all the blessings of God both spiritual and earthly, as we see that we can have abundant joy, abundant satisfaction, and just about anything abundant there is because he is more abundant than we can ask or think. He is beyond our wildest dreams of spiritual growth, and earthly blessing. He is abundant in goodness and is only waiting to be just that to us. He is our bridegroom at our side wating to dote on our every wish and need, 'Another glass of wine, my dear?' Surely we will never fully understand how abundant our lives could be while we are on this earth! Our minds and our faith are far too limited to realize what He has for His children.