The Higher Life....

Imagine for a moment that I could offer you a life that is guaranteed to give you: joy that is greater than any human feeling on earth, a blessing that is happiness in its fullest measure with access to all the resources of the earth, a peace that surpasses all human understanding, and an assurance of entering the eternal rest in the arms of the Almighty God at the end of it all..... Would you be interested?

I know I cannot, but Jesus can. In fact, not only can He - He is also willing, and has even been longing to give you all that has been stated above and even more. In the Bible Book of John 10 verse 10, Jesus Christ declares His aim for visiting mankind 2,000 years ago: “I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” He also promises everyone who believes in Him this same life of abundance, no matter what situation or circumstances they have faced or are still facing. Jesus gives the assurance that if you “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew chapter 6 verse 33). He promises to meet all our needs and to give us more than enough if we will let Him direct the affairs of our lives.

There are several kinds of abundance that we are promised as believers in Christ. First and foremost, there is spiritual abundance as indicated in Ephesians chapter 1 verse 3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ.” Then there is the promise of abundance of good health as found in Jeremiah chapter 33 verse 6, “I will heal this city and its people and restore them to health. I will show them abundant peace and security.”

Then there is also an abundance of material resources and means to earthly livelihood, as found in 2 Peter chapter 1 verse 3, “Jesus has the power of God, by which he has given us everything we need to live and to serve God. We have these things because we know him. Jesus called us by his glory and goodness” (New Century Version). We also enjoy a life of righteousness when Jesus (who is the righteousness of God) is made the one and only Lord over our lives (1 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 30; Philippians chapter 3 verse 9).

Its true that in life, times may come when we face difficulties of diverse forms. In James chapter 1 verses 1 to 12, the Bible advices us believers to consider trials and temptations to have an end result of joy because endurance is being produced in our lives. We are directed to ask God for wisdom so that we can see and understand the benefits of the trials we face. Jesus however promises in John 16 verse 33, “I have spoken these things to you so that you might have peace in Me. In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.” Jesus paid the highest price of death on the cross so that you and I can enjoy every blessing in Him. This is worth holding on to in times when life isn’t quite exactly the way we desire it to be and ultimately gives us a hope of the promised abundant life in Christ.

Now picture this: A life filled with prosperity in wealth and health, plus a righteousness that lasts forever (Psalm chapter 112 verse 3), all granted to you by God Himself! What is more? That’s the kind of life I want, how about you? That’s the life Jesus promises us! That’s the higher life in God!

“I Know How to Abound.”

I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound. In everything and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (Philippians 4:12 NKJV)

There are many who know “how to be abased” who have not learned “how to abound.” When they are set upon the top of a pinnacle of success their heads grow dizzy, and they are ready to fall. The Christian oftentimes disgraces his profession in prosperity than in adversity. It could be a “dangerous” thing to be prosperous. The crucible of adversity is a less severe trial to the Christian than the refining pot of prosperity.

Oh, what leanness of soul and neglect of spiritual things have been brought on through the very mercies and bounties of God! Yet this is not a matter of necessity, for the apostle tells us that he knew how to abound. When he had much he knew how to use it. Abundant grace enabled him to bear abundant prosperity. When he had a full sail he was loaded with much ballast, and so floated safely. It needs more than human skill to carry the brimming cup of mortal joy with a steady hand, yet Paul had learned that skill, for he declares, “In all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry.” It is a divine lesson to know how to be full, for the Israelites were full once, but while the flesh was yet in their mouth, the wrath of God came upon them. Many have asked for mercies that they might satisfy their own hearts’ lust.

Fullness of bread has often made fullness of blood, and that has brought on wantonness of spirit. When we have much of God’s providential mercies, it often happens that we have but little of God’s grace, and little gratitude for the bounties we have received. We are full and we forget God: satisfied with earth, we are content to do without heaven. Rest assured it is harder to know how to be full than it is to know how to be hungry-so desperate is the tendency of human nature to pride and forgetfulness of God. Take care that you ask in your prayers that God would teach you “how to be full.”

“Let not the gifts thy love bestows

Estrange our hearts from thee.”

*Culled from Charles Spurgeon’s Notes.