John10:10b I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

What do you think of when you hear abundant life? Do you think affluence? Do you think influence? Do you think life? I dare say most people do not think about life itself when they think abundance. We think about things, concepts, and self-pleasure.

If you truly understood what Jesus means by declaring that He is going to give you an abundant life you might question all of you previous assumptions. What if I were to tell you that Jesus really was saying, “I come to give you more of me.”

John 14:6a Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:

Jesus is the life. Jesus is life. The concepts lost on new believers are the issues of Lordship, surrender and service. New believers usually think about what they can gain from an abundant life they have yet to understand, experience or appreciate.

So much focus is placed on gifts, talents and rewards in an effort to motivate new believers that the first essential truth of Christianity takes a back seat. You have no life without Christ. Cry freedom all you want because that too is misunderstood by initiates. You are free from the bondage of sin, but are now captivated by the love of Christ. Captured you are and a better life it is for sure, but do not misunderstand you are captivated.

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Propitiation means acceptable substitute. You have to trust God is satisfied with you based on your faith in Christ’s death on the cross. Christ died nearly two thousand years ago. First century Christians witnessed His death and resurrection, we have to believe their witness and trust that God’s sense of justice is satisfied on our behalf.

Faith, trust and belief are mixed together for a reason.

Hebrews 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

These Jews believed God and trusted God but did not mix in the faith required to please God.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Belief and trust are dependent upon faith to accomplish that which is required to meet God’s plans. In many belief systems they define faith as belief, or trust while in fact they are three totally separate entities.

Belief is a rational study of a subject and decision based on self-satisfaction. Beliefs can and do changed based on better or newer information.

Trust is based on relevant understanding of terms and conditions. An understanding of those terms and conditions promotes a reliance upon the warrantor to stand behind a claim of performance. Failure of those terms and conditions, or the understanding of them breaks trust.

Faith from God, faith in God and faith thru God is the power to believe what you cannot see, trust what you cannot understand, and act out a life in relationship with the God of promise. The three must be mixed to produce the abundant life of John 10:10.