ALWAYS AN “ABUNDANT LIFE” WITH JESUS

On 19 March, 1944 German Lutheran pastor and Nazi martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote in a letter: “We can have abundant life, even though many wishes remain unfulfilled.”

The words of Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer are profound and life altering, if we can catch the essence of what He is saying, and implement it in our lives. However, it is also one of the most difficult things to do. When our focus is on the LORD Jesus Christ, and it is Him what we desire with all our heart, mind and soul, and live for His glory, and His glory alone all our lives, then life is always “AN ABUNDANT LIFE!” – Full, Fulfilling and Fruitful.

When our focus is not on the LORD Jesus, but on so many others things, may be legitimate and much needed, then life would never be AN ABUNDANT LIFE, even if we get all that we ever wanted. The comparison simply fades away into oblivion. 
– With Jesus, even a life of scarcity, storms and struggles is AN ABUNDANT LIFE!
– Without Jesus, even a life of fulfilled wishes is a life of dissatisfaction, and soon to be disaster, if not already. Such a life is anything but AN ABUNDANT LIFE.
– The tragedy is, many Christians don’t seem to grasp this truth.
– “24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” – Matthew 6:24
– “15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” – Luke 12:15

Let us see what else the LORD has to speak to us, this morning, through other Scriptures in the Bible, the written Word of God.
– “19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” – Matthew 6:19-21
– “7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” – 1 Timothy 6:7-12 
– “10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.” – Ecclesiastes 5:10
– “4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” – Proverbs 23:4-5
– “15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” – 1 John 2:15-17
– “11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” – Philippians 4:11-12

What are we wanting in life? Are we wanting the LORD Jesus more than anything else in life? How would our heart and mind be, if we had only Jesus and nothing else? Would we still joyfully, faithfully and obediently follow the LORD Jesus? Would the needs of this world, even if legitimate, turn our hearts away from Jesus? Let us honestly answer these questions. Let us remember that it is  ALWAYS AN “ABUNDANT LIFE” WITH JESUS! Even so the LORD help us.