The hope of Christ’s return is a promise that every born-again believer can look forward to with joy and thankfulness. The blessings and rewards that will be revealed to us on that glorious day are greater than anything we can comprehend in this life. However, God’s promises that apply to us in this time, in this Grace Administration in which we live, are ours to claim now. They are a reality today. Because of the accomplished works of Jesus Christ, we can live more abundantly today!
John 10:10:
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Jesus Christ spoke these words while he was on earth accomplishing our redemption. Since then Christ has completed what God sent him to do. He fulfilled the law, died on the cross, was raised from the dead, and ascended into heaven. Now he’s alive, seated at God’s right hand. Today God has called us to a life of abundance and power through the accomplished works of His Son, Jesus Christ. Now we have the opportunity to take advantage of this reality as we wait for Christ’s return. So, how can we live this more abundant life and live it now? Two things we can do to live more abundantly today are to develop a knowledge and understanding of God’s Word, and to replace negative thoughts by filling our minds with that Word.
One “how” of living the more abundant life is to develop a knowledge and understanding of God’s Word, which contains all things that pertain unto life and godliness. As we live each day, we can decide to let the light of God’s Word guide our thoughts so that it becomes the biggest thing in our minds. When we hold the Word in mind and act accordingly, then we can flourish as we are upheld by the Word we act on.
Psalms 119:116:
Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
What a wonderful truth that emphasizes the value of God’s Word in an individual’s life. As we are upheld by the Word we apply, we can keep the adversary from stealing our time, energy, and joy in life. God’s Word can light our way through life. We can live peacefully, knowing that the answers to life’s situations are in the pages of God’s Word.
Proverbs 2:6:
For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
True wisdom and knowledge come from God. As we act on the knowledge and wisdom from God’s Word we have in our hearts, we’ll reap the results of our godly lifestyle, which is abundance in every category of life!
Another action we can take to live more abundantly and make the most of each day is to replace negative thoughts with the truths of God’s Word. In our daily living, unwanted thoughts may come to mind, thoughts that do not help us live abundantly; but we can quickly replace them with the promises of God. God’s Word is the truth every moment of the day. So there’s never a moment when there isn’t a godly thought to dwell on. When we build the habit of focusing on the Word we know, we can eliminate negative thoughts. This includes thoughts of guilt and self-condemnation for mistakes that we’ve made.
Psalms 103:8,11,12:
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear [respect] him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
We can live free of condemnation by replacing negative thoughts with the truth that God is gracious and abundant in mercy. As we replace negative thoughts, we will be living more abundantly in the now of today!
Because of the accomplishments of Jesus Christ, we have a more abundant life to live, and we can have it now. Two things we can do to live more abundantly today are to develop a knowledge and understanding of God’s Word and to replace negative thoughts with the truths of that Word. Right now, let’s choose to live more abundantly in the now of today.