The Abundant Life

We live in a time of what has been called “Christianity Light.” The word “light” in this context means “without substance.” The principles taught from these lightweight pulpits lack evangelistic punch, and instead are designed to help people make it through the struggles of this life. The hearers learn that there is a better way of living than that of the world. The fruit of this is that there is little difference between the moral lifestyles of the world and those who profess godliness.

Jesus didn’t come to bring us a “better” life. Those who advocate that He did will be quick to point to John 10:10, in which He said that He came to bring us life, and life “more abundantly.” The word “abundant” doesn’t mean better, richer and happier. It simply means life in its “fullness.” And if you study the life of the Apostle Paul, you will find that it was full. It was full of trials, tribulations, temptations, and persecutions. He was hated, beaten, mocked, whipped, stoned, imprisoned, and finally martyred. He told Timothy that all who live “godly” in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. So, what’s the point in being a Christian? Why live godly in Christ Jesus if that’s what you get?

It’s like being in a plane that is soon to crash, and you have a parachute on because you know that you have to jump 10,000 feet at any moment. The flight may get bumpy, and the passengers may mock you, but who cares? What you are temporarily going through is nothing compared to their fate. So, is your goal to enjoy the flight? Of course not. You want to encourage the other passengers to put their parachute on before it’s too late. You can’t live with the thought of what is going to happen to them.

Listen to the wonderful words of the beloved (and much hated) Prince of Preachers, Charles Spurgeon: “If by excessive labor we die before reaching the average age of man, worn out in the Master’s service, then glory be to God. We shall have so much less of earth and so much more of Heaven. It is our duty and our privilege to exhaust our lives for Jesus. We are not to be living specimens of men in fine preservation, but living sacrifices, whose lot is to be consumed.”