|
Physical
life, bios, is an unconditional gift from him "in whom we
live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28). But alone
it ends in the cemetery (Heb. 9:27). Is there a different kind
of life besides biological?
Someone came into the world because he wanted me to enjoy an
abundant life, a perisson life, a word, say several lexicons,
that means abundant, uncommon, above the common, more than
average, exceeding, superadded, over and above, to the full
(John 10:10). Some Greek manuscripts say that Jesus called it a perissoteron
life, meaning more abundant.
I
want, I crave, that kind of life, but I find that Jesus made it
conditional. The biological, the biotikos, life is
unconditional, but the Lord lets me decide if I want the
abundant life. If I say that is what I want, he has given me
certain requirements.
First,
a whole-hearted desire" to do your will, O God" is a
prerequisite (cf. Ps. 40:7-8; Heb. 10:7). Unless one has that
commitment, that disposition, the abundant life is impossible:
"not as I will, but as you will" (Matt. 26:39).
"Whoever
has" that right disposition, "the mysteries of
heaven's kingdom" will "be given to him, and he will
have an abundance (perisseuo): but whoever does not have"
the right disposition, "even what he has will be taken away
from him" (Matt. 13:11-12).
The
right attitude ("I am yours," cf. Rom. 12:1, Gal.
2:20) leads one to faith in him who said,
My
teaching is not mine but his who sent me.
If
anyone wishes to do his will, he will know of the teaching,
whether
it is from God, or if I speak from myself (John 7:16-17).
But
faith alone is not enough to bring one to the abundant life.
"Many among the rulers believed him, but because of the
Pharisees they were not confessing him, lest they be expelled
from the synagogue" (John 12:42). Even the demons
"believe" and "tremble with fear", but
theirs is not the abundant life (Jas. 2:19).
Faith
in the heart "that Jesus is the Son of God" must be
confessed with the "mouth" before "men"
(Matt. 10:32, Rom. 10:9, I John 4:15). Just as Jesus
"before Pontius Pilate made the good confession,"
everyone convinced of Jesus' deity is eager to exclaim with
Peter, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God"
(Matt. 16:16).
But
faith in the heart and the good confession on the lips alone
will not lead one to the abundant life. What is called
"repentance" is another prerequisite, namely, sorrow
for sins and a determination to quit sinful actions (Luke 13:3,
24:46-47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18).
Biblical
repentance not only calls for sorrow for sins but also a desire
to make things right as far as possible in one's former life:
"Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance"
(Matt. 3:8, KJV), or, to word the verse differently, "show
proof that you have changed your hearts."
Making
things right as regards to the past is sometimes impossible, as
in the case of murder. But if one has stolen money in his
possession, or if he is living in adultery, repentance does not
mean he will return the money but keep the woman. Instead he
will pay attention to the words, "It is not lawful
for you to have her" (Matt. 14:5), and he will separate
himself both from the woman and return the stolen money. The
opposite of the abundant life, namely, perishing, is the word of
Jesus to the impenitent (Luke 13:3,5).
When
one has believed, confessed, and repented, the one eager for the
abundant life will, after hearing that the Lord commands
baptism, ask, "What hinders me?" (Acts 8:36). Desirous
of the blessings that only Jesus can provide, he will not delay
his baptism, but will at the very hour he hears of the Lord's
command, even at midnight ask to be buried in the watery tomb
(cf. Acts 16:33).
As he arises from the water
"in newness of life" he has entered into the abundant
life (Rom. 6:4). Immediately, while still wet, he has become the
recipient of the first blessing of the abundant life, namely,
the washing away of the guilt of all his sins (Acts 2:38).
Also
from the day of his baptism he realizes that he has
"received the spirit of sonship" and may now pray,
"Abba Father," a distinction reserved only for those
enjoying the abundant life (Rom. 8:15). And in the heavenly
family, of which he is now a son or a daughter, he has an elder
brother who speaks up for him to the Father (Rom. 8:29, I John
2:1-2).
In the abundant life, though he
does not know to pray as he should, the "Holy Spirit
himself intercedes for" him, "who according to the
will of God, pleads for" him (Rom. 8:26-27).
In
the abundant life Christians do not have sins piled up, but
"if we continue to confess our sins, "the gracious
Father" is dependable and righteous to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:8).
In
the abundant life one revels in loving fellowship with the best
people in the world, saying of them, "You are our glory and
our joy" (I Thess. 2:19). With them they share "food
in gladness and singleness of heart" (Acts 2:46).
In
the abundant life the Christian enjoys a special providence not
possible to non-Christians. The watchful Father does not allow
the devil to tempt Christians beyond their ability to resist,
"but with the temptation will provide an escape" (I
Cor. 10:13). Christians do not know how "God works all
things together for good," but they believe he does (Rom.
8:28).
In
the abundant life Christians have no dread or concern about the
future, for the "originator and completer of" their
faith has conquered him" who has the power of death, that
is, the devil," and has delivered them from the fear of
death (Heb. 2:14-15). Christians rejoice over and over every
time they hear the Savior's words: "He who believes in me,
though he dies, will yet live! He who lives and believes in me
will never die" (John 11:24-26).
In
the abundant life Christians "have been begotten again to a
living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the
dead, to an imperishable and unstained and never-fading
inheritance, reserved in heaven for" them (I Pet. 1:3-4).
They are protected by God's power through faith for the
salvation ready to be revealed at the last time" (I Pet.
1:5).
In
that salvation to come Christians now rejoice even if
"troubled by various trials" (I Pet. 1:6). Those
living abundantly love him whom they have "not seen,"
and believe "in him whom" they do "not see,"
and rejoice "with a joy that is inexpressible and filled
with glory, receiving the goal of their "faith," even
"the salvation of" their souls (I Pet. 1:8-9).
Hugo McCord
The
Spiritual Sword
www.spiritualsword.org
|
