1 Peter 2:24 Who Himself bore our sins in His own Body on the Cross, that we, having died to sins, might live for Righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
The emphasis on the Cross of Christ is placed on God’s Forgiveness of our sins and our spending eternity in Heaven. While this is absolutely true, there is far more to it than that. Jesus said, I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) So, the question is: What is Abundant Life? We know from what Jesus said that we can have Abundant Life but what does that entail?
The Abundant Life Jesus spoke of consists of EVERYTHING the enemy stole from mankind in the Garden of Eden. Jesus died on the Cross so we can have it all; nothing omitted, nothing excluded. Peter said that Jesus died on the Cross so we have the ability to live Righteous lives. Who Himself bore our sins in His own Body on the Cross, that we, having died to sins, might live for Righteousness. (1 Peter 2:24) A Righteous life is an Abundant Life.
Paul said, I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20) Abundant Life is to live by faith in the Finished Work of Christ on the Cross. Jesus died so we can have it all and when we maintain our faith in ALL that He accomplished on the Cross of Calvary, we begin to live the Abundant Life Jesus spoke of.
John wrote, For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the Victory that has overcome the world—our faith. (1 John 5:4) Jesus went to the Cross so we can overcome the world (which is the Devil and all his minions and schemes.) John refers to this as Victory and we can have this Victory but only through our faith in what Jesus accomplished on the Cross. That is WHERE He won the Victory for us. When we understand and more importantly, BELIEVE that Jesus defeated all power of the enemy on the Cross FOR US, we can claim that Victory, live in that Victory, and thus, overcome the world. A Victorious life is an Abundant Life.
Paul wrote, Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1) Liberty and Freedom are a part of Abundant Life. This is one of the many Benefits of the Abundant Life. Christ died so we don’t have to be slaves to Satan and sin.
It all comes down to one Statement made by Jesus. 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)
The enemy has come into this world to rob us of everything God has for us. Jesus went to the Cross so we can have it ALL back! What a Savior! He is worthy of all our praise!
Jesus died to……..….turn the tide……..in YOUR life!
Loving the Abundant Life, Doreen
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