How To Have Abundant Life

Jesus states in John 10:10 that he came so that we might not only have life, but have it more abundantly. What though, is this abundant life to which Jesus alluded and what does having it entail?

Right off, it would seem perhaps that Jesus was speaking of the so-called "good life" that many have envisioned for themselves. This may conjure up images of lavish vacations in exotic locations with room service at one's beck and call to some. To others it may mean a life where one is free to do as one pleases without the worries of day to day living that most of us face; having enough money to never have to worry about anything ever again.

Being in control of everything and everyone around you may be another way that this could be interpreted. Were any of these things really what Jesus was speaking of though? This writer doubts it.

As is often the case with scripture, sometimes only a small portion of a particular passage is focused upon, while another part is ignored. Let's look again, this time, at this entire verse.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may might have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10

This puts a whole new perspective on this verse. Who is the thief that Jesus is referring to in this verse? Is he speaking in general about thieves or about one specific thief?

You may have guessed that he is referring to Satan, the father of the all lies and the common enemy of both man and God. Jesus states in this verse, Satan's entire mission in regards to mankind.

Satan's purpose has always been to keep mankind from reaping the rewards that come only from having a wholesome and loving relationship with God. He does this through wreaking havoc in our lives by various means.

God's purpose for our lives here is simple. We are put here to glorify God through loving one another. As we do that we are putting faith into action and thereby becoming a beacon for others who are trying to navigate their way through this maze of earthly existence that we call life.

Galatians 5:22-23 states: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

This scripture shows the qualities that one should have if they are striving to live a godly life as directed by the holy spirit. These are the exact opposite of those things that Satan desires for us.

So many of us are fooled by the smoke and mirrors of this world, which have been devised by Satan. He is the master illusionist and uses deception and lies to draw mankind away from God, thus keeping them from the life that God has promised his faithful.

Having an abundant life to this writer means having that peace that comes only from having a relationship with a loving father who supplies every need according to his wealth, which is unlimited since everything belongs to God.

In the 37th Psalm, the author states : "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." That is most reassuring, but we can find even more hope in what Jesus himself said about the kingdom of Heaven:

"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."-John 14:2

We must first learn to enjoy that abundant life that he has already provided for us here though. As stated earlier, this is achieved through having a loving relationship with God and fellowship with others in the body of Christ, sharing the good news about salvation and God's plan for our lives.

You may never be a billionaire or be able to afford extravagant vacations. You may be even overlooked on your job and passed over for promotion after promotion, but don't let any of that discourage you. In the grand scheme of things that is very small and has little if anything to do with abundant life.

Abundant life is about having the peace of mind that comes from living for God. That is something that many CEOs, billionaires and world travelers don't have and all the money in the world can not buy.