Weekly Devotional 12-8-14 A More Abundant Life
Contrasting the spiritual leaders of Jesus’ day, with Himself, Jesus said; “7Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have spiritual life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:7-10 KJV).
There are many lessons that we could draw from the entire context of this passage (9:35-10:18); but with liberty, I draw your attention to Jesus’ words, “I have come that they might have ‘spiritual’ life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Not only did Jesus come to give spiritual life to those who would become His sheep (saved ones), but that they would have a fuller spiritual life. The word “might” is interesting in that it comes from the Greek word dunamai ‘do?-nam-ahee’ with the meaning of; “to be able, or possible”, thus the passage reads, “My sheep are able to, it is possible for them, to have fullness of spiritual life”. Able to have, or possible to have, are conditional terms requiring something more than said life’s initiation, certainly not spiritual life itself because it is God’s gift to His sheep (Ephesians 2:1-9 KJV), but fullness of life, life with true meaning, a.k.a. purpose. What then is the condition? Is it not the sheep’s participation in that life?
A Christian (a sheep) without participation, without involvement in the life to which he has been called, is like an athlete that never gets in the game, always an observer but never a participant. While he may get some enjoyment from being a member of the team and observing what his team-mates are accomplishing he can never sense the highs and lows of the game as they do, he must be in the game.
Upon the granting of spiritual life a person is in the game of eternal values and is promised a time when he will forever be in the presence of God, but Jesus was talking about a more abundant life of the present. God has given his sheep (we born again persons) His word and His Spirit who indwells them (us). However to enjoy spiritual life in its fullness His sheep (we) must participate: participate by being in constant communication with Him, by filling ourselves with His word and being faithful to His commands. If we are faithful in those 3 things we will find ourselves enjoying the fullness of spiritual life. We will become the salt of the earth and a light of the world (Matthew 5:13-14). Consider Jesus’ word’s to His disciples concerning this; “13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”.
Using these metaphors Jesus was telling His disciples the impact they were to have on the world. Their lives were to be like salt creating a thirst in the unsaved for greater information concerning Himself; and as the unsaved observed them (Jesus’ disciples) they would wonder why they were as they were, full of joy and fulfillment. Their lives would also be a testimony against the evils of society. The disciples’ lives, like a light, was to give illumination and direction.
Salt and light, when unused are of no value and so it is with the life of a Christian. A Christian is to be actively involved in the life to which he has been called. He is to be constantly busy with those things that glorify the Lord and that bless all those with whom he has contact. Our walk is our participation in the game of eternal values and the more our engagement the greater will be our experience of a fuller spiritual life.
God Bless
stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power, The Work of God on Behalf of Man
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