Exceeding Abundantly part 3
Living the abundant life isn't about getting anything. It's not about what you've got at all. It's about what you DO with what you've got. In our key verse, Ephesians 3:20, we see that God is able to DO exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. And it's according to the power that works IN us. It's what's inside coming out. Which means it's about love. Because, believe it or not, that's what inside. Jesus came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. And He ensured that we might have that life--partake of His Divine Nature--by giving His own life to us. That's the key. We don't try to live Jesus' life. That's impossible. Nobody can live Jesus' life except Jesus. So it's not until we understand that we ARE Jesus--God in the flesh, love in a body--that we truly understand what it means for Him to live His own life in, and through, and as us. He gave us His life so we could live. He gave us His Spirit so we could receive and release His love. So we might know the love of Christ, and share that love with everyone we come into contact with. He blessed us... to be a blessing. Look at Genesis 12:2, "And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing." This is what I'm always talking about: You can't give what you don't have, and you can only give what you do have. So in order for us to be a blessing, God had to first bless us. In order for us to forgive, we had to first be forgiven. In order for us to love, He had to first love us. It all flows from the source. Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights. We are His Son(s). The light of the world. And when He does above all that we could ask or think, it's really not about "stuff" at all. Stuff is almost inconsequential to God. Jesus told us to seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness and all that stuff (stuff that God already knows we need before we even ask) will be added to us. HAS BEEN added to us. We have already been blessed with all Spiritual blessings... so that we can bless others with those same Spiritual blessings. All things that pertain to life and godliness have already been given to us. Everything we have ever, or could ever, need has already been provided. Why? Well to take care of us, certainly. That's what a Father does--He provides for and protects and takes care of His Son. But also so that we might take care of each other. Philippians 2:3-5, "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Get it? If I take care of you, and you take care of me, neither one of us has to take care of ourselves. And that's the key to letting the mind of Christ (that's already in you) BE in you. How do we let it be? By thinking of others! Humility isn't thinking less of yourself, just thinking of yourself less. Thinking about others. Taking care of others. Sharing what you've got with others. Being blessed is awesome, don't get me wrong. But it more blessed to give than to receive. It's a more excellent way. It's higher than anything we could ask or think. God loves you. That's as high as it can get. And loving others with that same love is exceeding abundant!