Abundant Life

"...I came that they may have life,

 and have it abundantly."

John 10:10b

Abundant life is found in the pursuit of God-honoring holiness.  It is holiness-the humility of spirit, the mourning over sin, the hunger and thirsting for righteousness-that will produce in us that happy blessedness that Jesus spoke of in the Sermon on the Mount.  Abundant life is life that is freed from the power of sin and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, focused on the pleasure of God and resting in His love.  The first step we must take is to admit that we were created for His pleasure rather than for our own.  Our true happiness and abundant life springs out of setting our eyes, our hopes, and our desires on Christ and keeping them there.  Once we determine to keep our focus on Christ, love for our neighbor will grow.  This love of God and love for our neighbor will energize us to reach out and offer God's love and freeing truth to others.  It will motivate us to study and live lives of godliness so that others will be blessed.  If it is your heart's desire to live a faithful Christian life to God's glory, walking in Christ's promised abundant life, you won't succeed in your goal if your start with yourself as the center or focus of life or if you start with human philosophies as your guide.  You must begin at the right place, with God as the source and meaning of all life, with His glory and pleasure as paramount, and with His Word as the light upon your path and the only guide for life.  Abundant life can be yours because you have a loving Shepherd who is watching over you.  He has provided a lush pastureland for your nourishment; He has given you living water; it is He who restores your soul.  You can find a rich, rewarding life with God now and for eternity and you can share this life with others.

Taken from the preface of "Women Helping Women", Elyse Fitzpatrick and Carol Cornish, General Editors...