Living the Abundant Life

Last week we saw Jesus bridge the gap from doubt to faith. Many of the disciples, like people of today, need very little proof that Jesus is alive. Others, like Thomas, require a bit more convincing. But once you know the truth that Jesus lives, the only thing left to do is to live in His transforming grace and the newness of life He’s given you, right?

Living in newness of life does not always happen as a result of coming face to face with Jesus, The Light of the World. In John 21, the disciples had seen the resurrected Lord, and yet returned to their old way of life – fishing – because fishing is what they knew. Fishing had been their identity and life before following Jesus. Don’t we struggle with returning to our old way of life from time to time? We often run back to our old selves, our old life and old habits. Over and over, we pick up the chains that Jesus freed us from and throw them back around our wrists and ankles.

Galatians 5:1, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”

Instead of returning to the old life as the disciples did, let us daily remember the sacrifice that Jesus made for us – His death for our sins, and His resurrection to life once again. He is victorious over the sin that strives for control of our heart, life and soul. Just as Jesus showed the disciples His power to provide through an abundant catch of fish, we can believe, receive and live in the abundant life He has made for us.

Consider, how Jesus has revealed Himself to you? If you have chosen to follow after Him, then are you daily receiving abundant life in Him? If not, then perhaps you are still hanging on to your old, empty life.
 
Pastor Cary Wacker

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