Real Life - Part 1

Can I first apologize for my failure to get these posts out on time. I have found this harder to keep up with than I thought. Thank you for your patience.

On Sunday, Kenny reminded us that there are a lot of wrong places to find life, and that true life is only found in Christ. Jesus said, "I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). So Jesus said that his primary reason for coming was to bring life. That certainly includes eternal life, or life after death, but it seems to me that it must mean more than just that. What then, is abundant life?

Read the following passages of scripture that speak to the quality of life we might expect:

John 10:10
John 15:17-21
Gal 5:22-23
Eph 3:14-21
1 Pet 4:12

What do these passages indicate about the quality of life we might expect as Christ-followers?
What does the abundant life include?
What does Christ not promise as a part of the abundant life?
Would you characterize your life as abundant?
In what areas of your life do you feel that you are experiencing the abundant life?
In what areas of your life do you feel that you are not experiencing the abundant life?

In my experience, there are two primary reasons that I can feel I am lacking the abundant life. The first is that I perceive the abundant life incorrectly, that I assume God owes me something that he hasn't promised, or in a way he hasn't promised. For example, he promises to supply all my needs. Well maybe at times I am perceiving something as a need that isn't yet a need or he has supplied it in a way that I am not willing to take advantage of. The second reason, is because I am trying to find the abundant life in the wrong place. I am trying to find it in my job, or my family, or recreation, or food, or things -- but not in Christ.

Spend some time in prayer asking God to reveal areas of your life that he wants to invade to fill and to make abundant. Be willing to hear from him today.

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
2 Cor 3:18