Abundant Life or Vicarious Life?

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 10:10 (NIV)

Jesus came to give us life, abundant life.  Life, that is, as God intended for us.  Yet, sadly, many of us have settled for a cheap imitation.

I recall, while going through some counseling at one point, the counselor asking a series of questions.  As I began to respond, he would follow up with an interesting question.  "So, what does that look like?"  This kind of caught me off guard.  It made me stop and think for a few minutes.

Often we read passages of Scripture, without ever really stopping to think, "what does that look like in my life?"  When Jesus says that He's come to give you "abundant life" or "life to the full" what does that mean to you?  Have you really stopped to think about it?  Or, perhaps, you may ask, "what is it supposed to look like to me?"

I've been meditating on this one for a while.  But, of course, God deals with each of us individually.  I may read a passage of Scripture and receive certain insight, revelation or understanding, whereas God may show you something totally different.  At any rate, I'd like to take a few minutes and share something the Lord put in my spirit regarding this passage of Scripture recently.

One of our senior pastors recently made a statement that cut me, and cut me deep.  He asked a question, basically to the effect, "why do so many of us have Blockbuster cards, but not a library card?"  We have chosen entertainment over education.  I was greatly convicted by this.

But, to take this a step further, how many of us have chosen entertainment over experience?  We sit for hours watching television and movies, playing video games or surfing the internet.  What happened to us getting out and living life?  Many us opt to travel to distant lands, far away galaxies; get transported to the future or taken back to pre-historic times; explore mysteries and solve crimes, all while never leaving the comforts of our home.  We have traded personal interaction for a digital world.

I think of movies like Surrogates and Inception along with many of the fantasy video games now available.  One my children love is SIMS.  Then, of course, there are the countless online fantasy worlds.  Just create an avatar and become anyone you can imagine.

There have been times when I've spent practically the whole day just watching movies.  And as the movie credits begin to scroll across the screen, I am quickly sobered to the reality of the mundane life I briefly sought to escape.  The adventure is over, at least until the next showing.

But, is this really the life Jesus came that we might have?  I venture to say no!  God is a god of relationship, first and foremost.  Secondly, as a part of the great commission, Jesus told us to go into all the world.  He desires us to experience His life flowing through us, as we step out to reach a lost and dying world that needs to know Him.

I am greatly inspired as I read so many of the stories of the Bible.  Perhaps "accounts" is a better word to use,  because I believe they are more than just stories.  I believe they are actual accounts of encounters that various individuals had with God, as He revealed Himself, in and through their lives.  I believe He also wants to do the same thing in your life and mine.

As Moses and the children of Israel saw God part the Red Sea; as God gave David victory over a giant named Goliath; as Peter stepped out of a boat and walked on water with Jesus, so I believe God has great things that He wants to do in and through our lives.  But the question remains, will we choose abundant life or continue to settle for living life vicariously?

For His Glory!!!

As I was listening to a message this morning, I was, again, reminded of something I had shared quite some time ago.  I wasn't sure that I still had this, but the Lord brought to my rememberance that I probably still had this in my email archives.  After a quick search, voila...there it was.  I pray that you'll be blessed by this.

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There is much we can learn from the life of John the Baptist.  A man anointed and filled with the Spirit from the womb.  There was no doubt he was called, anointed, appointed and chosen by God.

 

John was someone we'd consider radical.  A man preaching in the desert, eating locust and wild honey, clothed in camel hair.  A man that was not afraid to tell it like it was...even to those in positions of authority and government.  Here was a man that did not seek the praise or approval of man.  A man that was not swayed by popular opinion.

 

John preached repentance and was sent to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.  Even as Jesus came to be baptised by John, that the scriptures might be fulfilled, John exhibited such humility.  John declared that he was not worthy to even carry Jesus' sandals.  He said that he was the one that needed to be baptised by Jesus, when Jesus came to be baptised by him.

 

As things progress we come to find John imprisoned for speaking out against the leaders of his day.  Not for anything wrong, but for righteousness sake.  At the same time Jesus' ministry is going forth with mighty miracles, sign and wonders.  Yet, during this time John's faith begins to waver.

 

John sends his disciples to ask Jesus if He is indeed the Christ.  After all that John has done in the name of the Lord, and even more, he is the cousin of Jesus, yet Jesus does nothing to set him free, to remove him from the peril that lies before him.  When John's disciples come to Jesus, He allows them to witness the works of God being manifested and then gives them a response to deliver to John.  "Go back and report to John what you hear and see:  The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.  Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."

 

Jesus goes on to say great things about John the Baptist.  He declares that John is "more than a prophet."  He even goes so far as to say, "Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist."

 

The same God that delivered Daniel from the lion's den, the three Hebrew boys from the fiery furnace, the children of Israel from the hand of Pharaoh, allows John to be beheaded.  Somewhere along the way John has forgotten that it's not about him, but about the glory of God being revealed through him. 

 

I also think of Stephen, a young man full of fire and zeal for God.  Stephen was willing to give his life for the One who had given His life for him.  He is about to be stoned for righteousness sake and sees Jesus, no longer seated, but standing at the right hand of God, preparing to receive him into glory. 

 

Who is in attendance at his stoning but Saul, the same man that come would come to be known as the Apostle Paul.  I have to believe that this had a profound affect upon him and began to prepare his heart for what would later take place on the road to Damascus.

 

Oh that we would receive the grace and strength that allowed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to stand in face of persecution and the threat of death and declare that we know our God is able to deliver us, but even if He doesn't, we will not bow!  Oh God, help us to realize that it is all for Your glory and Yours alone!

 

Selah.