“I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10, NASB)
Golf is certainly one of life’s extras. Complain too loudly about your putting, and you just might hear a sarcastic response: “First World problem.” That is, in the worldwide scheme of things, your yips aren’t much of a worry. They’re the by-product of a luxury.
“The good life,” in the way the trendsetters define it, looks something like this:
– A powerful luxury car that lets you weave in and out of traffic through which others must muddle.
– A comfortable home with room for all who live there to enjoy their personal space uninhibited.
– Fine meals out, expertly prepared, proudly served, and more proudly received.
– Lavish vacations away from home’s daily grind, which does after all include tedious rounds at the club, uninspiring moonlight dips in one’s swimming pool, and the annoying latest in communication technology.
Are we bashing the rich? Not exactly. What we’re meaning to do is compare abundance. For if Jesus said that he came to give us life abundant, surely he meant something different—something better—than what the world tells us we’re best off possessing.
Look at this list, the list of abundant living in a biblical sense:
– Whatever is true
– Whatever is noble
– Whatever is right
– Whatever is pure
– Whatever is lovely
– Whatever is excellent
– Whatever is worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8)
This list does not conjure up visions of materialism. Rather, it reminds us that what God has for us is good for the soul.
This week, we have been surveying our hope in Jesus. When you consider that we were “dead in our sins” before turning to him, the hope of any life is better. But he specifically offered hope of abundant life. That’s no “bucket list” of cool plans and big adventures. Rather, it’s a complete rewriting of how we go about each day. With our minds set on him, our minds become trained in truth, nobility, righteousness, purity, loveliness, excellence, and praiseworthiness. That, friends, is truly living!
—
Jeff Hopper
February 6, 2014
Copyright 2014 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.