What Is Abundant Life?

 

By Andrea Merrell

 

I have come that they may have life,

and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10 NKJV

 

“God has promised us abundant life. What does that look like to you?”

The question was posed to a group of young adults, and the answers were quite a surprise to the leader. The best of everything. More money than I can spend. Having whatever we want. Being wealthy and never having problems.

Unrealistic at best. One writer calls those expectations anti-gospel. The ideas point to a generation growing up with a sense of entitlement instead of humility and surrender to the One who promised us “life more abundantly.”

“But the Bible says that God gives good and perfect gifts,” some might argue. That leads to whose definition of good we’re talking about—ours or God’s.

We have to remember that God’s view is very different from ours. He expects us as His children to produce the Fruit of the Spirit. To walk in love. To possess godly wisdom,  knowledge, and understanding. To be filled with peace, love, and joy. To be compassionate. To be people of integrity. In other words, to be more like Jesus.

So, what is the “greatest good” we can receive? Matthew tells us to seek the kingdom of God first, above all else (6:33). The Passion translation says it like this: “So above all, constantly seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness, then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly.”

Are you ready to experience true abundant life?

Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash