Abundant Life

You can really see the contrast between what the devil and the world have to offer and what Jesus freely gives to all who believe in Him.

Abundant Life

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."

(John 10:10-11)

You can really see the contrast between what the devil and the world have to offer and what Jesus freely gives to all who believe in Him. The former reeks of death: steal, kill, and destroy. Satan is an expert at each of these. But Jesus is much different. He offers forgiveness of sins and an abundant and eternal life.

This contrast is played out every day in our world. We see the clash of light vs. darkness as well as good vs. evil. For example, consider the story of Pastor Josh Sullivan. On Thursday, April 10, he was sharing a message with his church in South Africa during a prayer meeting. Suddenly, the church was interrupted by kidnappers, and Pastor Josh was taken captive at gunpoint. His wife Megan pleaded, "We beg you to continue storming the throne room until Josh is safe at home." An elite South African specialized team led an operation to rescue the pastor. When they approached the house the kidnappers were in, they got in a shootout and fled in a vehicle. The officers pursued and shot at the vehicle. They later discovered that three of the kidnappers were killed. They then realized that Pastor Josh was in the vehicle too but was "miraculously unharmed." (Source.)

The enemy of our souls intends to do to us as he did to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, to tempt us to sin so we are separated from God. So many lives today are being destroyed through the numerous lies of Satan: "Whatever you choose is right, so do as you please. Do not concern yourself with Jesus or the Church. There are many ways to God, if there is a God. Marriage is not all that sacred; do as you please; go be with that person who is not your spouse. Take the easy way out and cheat, no one will ever know." Satan whispers many other lies like these. If we give in to his temptations, then the same results happen: death, destruction, pain, and brokenness.

But that is the ugly part. The beautiful thing is what Jesus said next. He offers us not just life, but abundant life, a life of forgiveness of sins, peace, joy, and a host of other blessings. The Greek word translated "life" is zoe: "life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed" (BlueletterBible.org). The Greek word translated "abundantly" is perissos, which means "over and above, more than is necessary, exceeding abundantly, extraordinary, surpassing, uncommon" (BlueletterBible.org).

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who gave His life for His sheep. Are you in the fold of God? If not, then you are one sincere prayer of faith and repentance away. Pray now and become a part of God's forever family.

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Podcast of the Week

Jesus, Family, & Ministry, with Dr. Nathan Lorick

Pastor Danny welcomes to the show his friend Dr. Nathan Lorick, Executive Director of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention to share his testimony, about his role in the SBTC, and about keeping your priorities straight as a full-time minister.

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