We all want to enjoy our lives. I don’t know anyone whose goal in life is to be miserable. Every day we’re bombarded with messages about how to have a great life. Do this, try that, buy this product, experience that event, but the ‘great life’ never seems to get any closer. All that happens is that we get more and more cynical about the things that are supposed to help us to a better life.
When Jesus was on earth he said that he had come to give life and in fact life to the full. People often find that statement from Jesus hard to believe, they see the Christian lifestyle as being dull and boring.
When Jesus said he would give us an abundant life, this may not be in the way you think. Jesus wants us to experience a great life, not just through moments of great excitement but rather in how we deal with all of life – now and in the future.
So what is this life all about?
There are three basics:
- Being secure. This doesn’t mean personal security so that nothing will ever go wrong, but the security of knowing that God loves you and cares for you. It means you don’t need to be afraid of being alone or of what’s going to happen at the end of life. God promises to look after us now and in the future.
- Having a point. Living can feel pointless. You get up, go to work, find something to fill in the day, then go to bed, day after day. In the end you ask – “what’s the point?” Jesus said that life is firstly about following him and then about helping others.
- Joyful living. Much of what we do can actually stop us from experiencing joy. When people get older, it’s so easy to look back after 30 or 40 years of work and ask, “Is this it?” “Surely there’s more to life?” Jesus tells us that when we live our lives in line with what he said, we will be able to look back and see that our life has meaning and purpose.
How do we experience ‘an abundant life’
There are three steps:
Accept – Before we can experience the abundant life that Jesus promises us we have to accept who Jesus is. It is clear when you read the story of Jesus’ life and read his words that he’s not just another spiritual option. Jesus made it clear he was God and his dying on the cross would allow us to know God personally. He also said his death was no accident, but was planned from the beginning.
Ask – If Jesus’ death was planned, why did it have to happen? The Bible tells us we have all broken God’s standards and we need his forgiveness. Jesus has made it possible for us to have a personal relationship with God. This relationship begins by accepting Jesus’ amazing gift of love demonstrated so vividly on the Cross. We need to ask God’s forgiveness for disappointing him. As we do, God will help us again and again to make a fresh start.
Change – If we want to start fresh with Jesus we can’t continue to live the way we have. Jesus gave all those who followed him some great advice on how to make the most out of life. These words of Jesus, as well as much more, are found in the Bible. The Bible gives us God’s framework for a full and free life – a life filled with meaning and purpose.
What now?
If you would like to respond to Jesus’ offer of new life pray the following simple prayer as a way of turning to God in a fresh new way:
"Lord God I come to you today for a fresh start. I am sorry for ignoring you in my life and living in ways that disappoint you. I ask for your forgiveness. I want to accept the payment that Jesus made at the first Easter for my failing you. Lord Jesus come into my life and make me a new person. Amen"
If you have prayed this prayer please let us know, email us at info@olivetreemedia.com.au so we can send you something to read and recommend a church to you.
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