“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” – John 10:10

Be N.O.R.M.A.L. (Not Only Religious but More Abundant Living)

The above acronym came to me a long time ago when I first really zeroed in on John 10:10. We as Christ-Followers have life more abundantly. What does it mean? In our American culture celebrating financial wealth and achievement/celebrity it is often interpreted as being God’s physical blessings – wealth of opportunity and financial success. It is a trap.

Many famous wealthy and successful people will testify to the emptiness of this kind of abundance. It not only feels empty but often gets in the way of truly enjoying the abundant life intended for us through following Jesus.

This word “abundant” in the Greek is perisson, meaning “exceedingly, very highly, beyond measure, more, superfluous, a quantity so abundant as to be considerably more than what one would expect or anticipate.” A superabundance of a thing.

With all the crazy, upside down reality in our world today, it is particularly disturbing that the enemy to all that is good is so blatantly on the attack – stealing, killing and destroying. What is it the enemy is destroying? Is it our physical things? Not necessarily. He’s happy for us to focus our attention on all that. It certainly is our peace and Joy he is effectivity destroying, leaving us with feelings of disappointment, emptiness, anxiety and general dissatisfaction with life.

The true “Abundant life” refers to life in its abounding fullness of joy and strength for spirit, soul and body bringing a peace that is beyond understanding. (Philippians 4:7)

Here we are in the Christmas season – supposed to be the perfect experience of joy and contentment – the picture of family gathered around a loving circle relishing Gods goodness and abundance. Unfortunately, with many that is not often the case.

Abundance on the Ranch

This particular season we find our family splintered for various reasons – by physical distance as well as emotional/spiritual discord. It does not feel like God’s abundance.

But, just when we were feeling our lowest we got a call from our Friends in Christ to join them for a worship night at the “Popadic Ranch.” There we gathered with their family and friends on a cool South Florida night around a roaring camp fire. Their kids led us in worship.

I looked up to the crescent moon shining through palm trees and Scanned around the fire. I saw 3 generations of this family with their friends worshipping God. Generations of faithfulness. Each one spiritually in various places along their journey but now united for this night in their love for one another and for God – sharing His abundance. We praised Him and He poured His word into us and through us. We praised Him but He gave even more back to us. Soooooo sweet.

The abundant life God offers us is more than a kumbaya moment. But, that night was a taste of what God intended. The “Abundant life” through God’s Spirit overcoming feelings of lack, emptiness, and dissatisfaction.

John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Unlike a thief, Jesus does not come for selfish reasons. He comes to give, not to take. He comes that people may have life in Him that is meaningful, purposeful, joyful, and eternal. We receive this abundant life the moment we accept Him as our Savior. This is what can be normal.

Jesus promises us a life far better than we could ever imagine, a concept reflected of 1 Corinthians 2:9: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” Ephesians 3:20 says God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, and He does it by His power, a power that is at work within us if we belong to Him.

This Christmas, before we begin to have visions of lavish temporal gifts and more money than we know what to do with, let’s pause and think about what Jesus teaches regarding this abundant life. The Bible tells us that wealth, prestige, position, and power in this world are not God’s priorities for us (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).

Abundant life is eternal life. The biblical definition of life is provided by Jesus Himself: “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3). The knowledge of and growing relationship with God is the truly abundant life.

A Christian’s life revolves around growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18). It consists of life that is eternal, and, therefore, our interest is in the eternal, not the temporal. Paul admonishes us, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:2-3).

So, for this Christmas, let’s cast aside reliance on being religious, and the temporal things the world values and seize hold of the more abundant life our God promises.

Go ahead this Christmas be N.O.R.M.A.L.