Abundant Life

In a letter from Grace to You Asia

When Jesus spoke of the abundant life, was He promising material wealth, early happiness, or a life ease?
None of the above, really. The abundance promised in the gospel consists mainly of spiritual and eternal riches. In fact, don't be surprised or dismayed if the heavenly blessings of salvation come to you packaged with early trials and persecution.
According to Scripture, trials are blessings if we receive them correctly by faith, knowing that God governs our lives through His loving providence, managing even the earthly hardships we suffer for our good.
That truth is what makes a believer's earthly life so abundant. We have the assurance that as long as we live in faithful obedience to God's Word, the stresses, worries, and cares of this world will not be able to distract us from following Christ.
If we genuinely embrace that truth by faith, our perspective won't be tied to events around us and our joy won't be dependent on the ups and downs of life. Endless wars, failing economies, corrupt politicians, rampant secularism and unchecked cultural perversion cannot cast a shadow over us when we're living each day believing in and obeying God's truth. In a word, we're unshakable.
That doesn't mean there won't be hard times or disappointment for the faithful Christian. Our faith will be tested, we will encounter temptation, and we will undergo trials. We won't be completely free from the powerful influences of this sinful world until we are called home to be with Him or when the Lord returns. But living in obedience to God's Word keeps our feet on solid, stable ground. It's our anchor when the storms of temptation and trials threaten. It gives us balance and security even while the world around us appears to be collapsing in sin and despair.
Whether you're a stay-at -home mom, businessman, mailman,teacher, doctor, or student, God's Word is the only trustworthy compass for your life. Whatever your situation is, the truth of Scripture is timeless, universally applicable and always relevant. The Bible alone sets on the path of godliness, insulates us from the cares and worries of this world, strengths our faith, grows us in the likeness of Christ, and equips us for faithful ministry to others.
Our commitment to God's Word and to living out His truth is vital, and it starts at a foundational, practical level: our willingness to believe God. Specifically, it begins with out faith.