Abundant life

Abundant Life
Chuck Swindoll

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)

But these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. (John 20:31) In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. (John 1:4)

Christmas comes each year to draw people in from the cold. Like tiny, frightened sparrows, shivering in the winter cold, many live their lives on the barren branches of heartbreak, disappointment, and loneliness, lost in thoughts of shame, self-pity, guilt, or failure.

Then, as the year draws to a close, Christmas offers its wonderful message. Emmauel, God with us. He who resided in heaven, co-equal, and co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, willingly descended into our world. He breathed our air, felt our pain, knew our sorrows, and died for our sins. He didn't come to frighten us, but to show us the way to warmth and safety. He came to give us abundant life.

To live abundantly is to be ever aware of the grace God has lavished on us (Ephesians 1:3-8). It is to be rooted and grounded in the love He has showered on us (3:17-20). It is to be anchored in the certain hope of Christ's coming again and His consummation of all His plans (Romans 15:13). To live abundantly is to make choices that reflect the reality of Christ and His kingdom-to shape our present in light of our future.

Just how do we do it-how do we stop living like frightened sparrows and start embracing the life God has for us? The first and only place to start is by placing our faith in One Christmas celebrates, Jesus Christ. When we trust Him for salvation, we get Him inside our hearts where He can do some good. With this faith in Jesus Christ, we have at least four ways of living the abundant life.

* Soar. Live above the drag of fear, superstition, worry, and negativity by taking our needs to God.

* Ignore. Refuse to take our cues from those who operate from only the human perspective by listening to God's voice instead of the general public's.

* Risk. Break out of our comfort zones by trusting God to know more than we do.

* Release. Let go of our craving for control by allowing Christ to be in the driver's seat.

God never wanted us to run away from the world or to live frightened lives, shivering in the cold. Instead, He wants us to engage the world-to walk in His light and warmth.

And the only way we can fulfill His desire is to enter into the abundant life He offers.

[Portions adapted from Wisdom for the Way (Nashville: J. Countryman, Thomas Nelson, 2001), 375, and from the Bible study guide The Majesty of God's Son, written by Jason Shepherd, from the Bible-teaching ministry of Charles R. Swindoll (Anaheim, Calif., 1999), 32-37.]

Charles R. Swindoll is the senior pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas. His radio ministry, Insight for Living, is heard on over 1,400 radio outlets worldwide and is webcast to a growing online audience. In 2001, Insight for Living launched Paws & Tales, a weekly radio drama for kids designed to teach children biblical theology through adventure, fun, and music.