Abundant Life

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10, NKJV)

What is the best thing that Christianity has to offer to the world? Some might think it’s morality, that we offer a standard of morality for the world to follow. Morality is a good thing, but we haven’t handled it perfectly and historically we haven’t imposed morality in a way that has been edifying for the world. In fact, it seems we have often done more damage in doing so. 

I propose that the best we have to offer is the fruit of the Spirit. I think it’s time that we prioritize them. When I think of Jesus coming to give us abundant life, what is that abundant life for me? In my case, it was love, joy and peace, as well as the other fruit of the Spirit. Those have given me the closest to a heavenly experience that there could be. It has allowed me to bring that heaven to other people who have consequently also received from the heavenly gift. 

Even when I think about salvation of the soul, it has been those fruit of the Spirit that has turned my soul that was lost and blind and blinded with no knowledge of God, into a soul that feels full, that feels joy and peace. I really believe that what Jesus offered to me was a saved soul, and it continues to be saved, healed and made whole. The proof is in the fruit of the Spirit. 

The Bible describes us as trees of righteousness. We see it in Psalms, Ezekiel and Revelation, to name a few. It says that our leaves are for healing and our fruit is for food. It is by this fruit of the Spirit that the world can taste and see that the Lord is good. Rather than attempt to moralize a world that is hungry and thirsty for love, joy and peace, maybe the true believers can step forward and offer the heavenly food that can actually change this world for the better. Rather than demonstrate our high moral ground, I think the world needs to see the grace of God that manifests in love, joy and peace. 

Rather than joining one of the world’s divisive teams, let us march under the banner of love. Maybe the church’s true calling is to bring healing and true spiritual food for the people of the earth. Maybe we should be offering the fruit that can heal and actually save human souls in the true biblical sense rather than making religious converts. 

God’s vision as stated in the Bible is that this fruit of peace, which is already in the earth and living in us by the Spirit, would have an increase that never ends. He declared in Habakkuk 2:14: “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” He stated that we would all know Him, from the greatest to the least because He would be good and merciful to us all. 

It’s time we saw the fruit of the Spirit as more important than politics, moral issues, and who is right and wrong. Let’s present something that actually heals the land, feeds the hungry souls, and fills them to satisfaction. I have caught the vision. I can see a world that is flowing into the goodness of God because of Jesus who came so that the souls of mankind would be saved, healed and made well. What a beautiful thought! What a beautiful Father we have! What a wonderful Savior!

We hope your day is filled with peace today and your heart filled with joy!