0810. The Life and the Life More Abundant

The Life and the Life More Abundant

"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (Joh_10:10).

We are going to treat this suggestively, before we treat it exegetically. There are some things that come sweeping over us.

1. The Life in Christ Jesus even down here and now, is a far more abundant life than the life in the flesh. We mean simply that it pays, so far as the peace and rest and joy of this present life is concerned to become a Christian.

Not for a moment do we mean that unbelievers have no pleasures in the things of the world. They do. But those possessing the life which is in Christ Jesus and walking in that life, are not robbed of real heart blessings down here.

In the world we will have tribulations; and the more the life in Christ Jesus is manifested, the more we must suffer for His sake. But all of this in no way affects our real inner joy life in Christ. In fact, it is true that such conditions seem only to increase our true joy.

Paul in the Philippian jail sang far more earnestly and happily, and with a far greater sincerity, than Saul of Tarsus could ever have sung had he gained the highest pinnacle in the world's gallery of fame.

The Bible does not promise, in this age, large enrichment to those who follow the new life in Christ Jesus; yet we believe that it really pays to be a Christian just for the here and now.

2. There is a life awaiting us over there, that is the life more abundant.

Here we have life, there we have life more abundant.

What depths are in the words: "Enter into the joy of the Lord."

What beauty are in the words: "That they may be with Me and behold My glory."

What depths are to be fathomed in the words: "Heirs of God and joint-heirs of Jesus Christ."

Surely the life down here is sweet and rich and full; but the life over there will be sweeter, richer, fuller.

We have "riches of grace now," we will have the "exceeding riches of His grace," in the ages to come.

We have an entrance into "the kingdom of His love," now; we will have an entrance more abundant into His everlasting Kingdom, then.

We are saved now so far as justification is concerned; our sins are gone, we have passed from death unto life; hell has no terrors for us: but we will be saved more fully when Christ comes. He will come apart from sin unto salvation–even the salvation of our bodies. Then we will have an entrance into the fuller meanings of His Calvary work.

3. There is a life in Christ Jesus, and there is a life more abundant in Christ Jesus. We speak of the present experiences of believers.

There is salvation and there is consecration.

There is justification and there is sanctification.

There is peace from the penalty of sin, a peace with God, and there is peace 'mid the conflicts of daily experience, the peace of God.

A few verses will explain this aspect of life and the life more abundant.

(1) "His Divine power hath given unto us * * life and Godliness * * and beside this, * * ADD" (2Pe_1:3-5).

(2) "Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls * * wherefore gird up * * be sober, and hope * * be ye holy" (1Pe_1:9-15).

(3) "Your faith in Christ * * be filled with the knowledge of His will * * walk worthy of the Lord * * strengthened with all might" (Col_1:4-11).

Passages of Scripture could be multiplied, but these suffice. We get a vision of what it is to have life, and what it means to have that life more abundantly.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR