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
In the King James and other versions of the Bible, full in this verse is also phrased as abundant. The Greek word that is being translated here is perisson and it means exceeding or a quantity so abundant it is beyond expectation.
It is Jesus Himself who is speaking here in John 10:10 and He is explaining that He came so that we might have a life so awesome it is beyond our expectation or imagination.
When we begin to discuss “full” or “abundant” life, do you think “yeah abundant with stress, trials and or burdens”? What does “abundant” life look like? Does He mean earthly riches, possessions, status, influence, what exactly does He mean?
To determine this we have to look at the word of God. But, keep in mind that these are promise(s) to those who are followers of Jesus Christ:
God created us in such a way that, once we knew Jesus Christ as our personal Savior we could do good things that would bless others, ourselves and God. (For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10.)
God, when He created each of us, had plans for us…plans to give us hope and a future. (For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
He fills us with hope, joy and peace. (May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13)
He is our strength and protection. (The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. Psalm 28:7)
God is our provider, every good thing we have comes from Him. (And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19)
His love for us is great and He loved us before we even knew Him. (We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19)
He desired that we would not have to suffer the consequences of our sin. (Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:24)
He wanted eternal life, for us and to spend it with us. (For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23)
To enable us to be forgiven of our sins and spend eternity in Heaven with Him, He gave His one and only Son. (For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.) (In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? John 14:2).
How much more abundant a life could we have? In this life, our Heavenly Father will provide us with good works to do, He plans to prosper and not harm us, give us hope and a future, fills us with hope and joy and peace, He is our strength, protection and provider, He loves us, took the punishment for our sins and died in our place. And, if that weren’t enough he provides us with eternal life and mansions in Heaven to reside in for all of eternity, with our loving Heavenly Father. Thank you Lord!
If our life is abundant with stress, trials and/or burdens, lay them at the foot of the cross and pick up the peace and joy that He offers.
I pray that today, we would thank our Heavenly Father for all that He has done, for all that He has provided and for all that He is for us. I pray that today we would be eternity minded and that we would desire for others, all that we have in our Precious Savior. I pray that we would share Him with them.
If you do not know our Precious Savior as Lord of your life, and would like to experience the abundant life that He offers, I pray that you would go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) and pray the prayer that is outlined there. God’s promises are for you. Once you have prayed that prayer, please reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com and let me know so that I can be in prayer for you and can help you grow in your knowledge of and relationship with our Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ.
Luv Ya!
