The subject is "the sheep" that Jesus cared for. He was "the door" (John 10:7-10) and "the good shepherd" (John 10:11-15). He assured us, "I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd" (John 10:16). Paul describes the "new life" in Christ in Ephesians.
In reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. (Eph 4:22-24)Scripture talks about "newness of life"(Rom 6:4). It's always tied to our connection with Christ. Like the blessings from Ephesians 1 (Eph 1:3-14).
We shouldn't think, then, that "abundant life" refers to "really, really happy." It doesn't mean "lots of comforts." It's an excess ... of Christ. Like, "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?" (Rom 8:32). The God who supplies for all needs (Php 4:19) and "works all things after the counsel of His will" (Eph 1:11) and "works all things together for good" (Rom 8:28-30). It stands to reason, then, that we might be experiencing this "superior, excessive, superabundant" life without even knowing it ... because we're looking in the wrong place. Not an abundant life of worldly pleasures and happy feelings, but a life fully powered and supplied by Christ.
1 comment:
This is simply the logical outcome when we remember that we aren't simply followers of Christ, but have been made alive IN Christ. We receive the blessings of God because He is blessing His Son in whom we reside.
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