I mentioned previously that I would search for the key to life abounding in the life of Christ. Paul tells us how this works in Romans 6-8. Specifically, when Jesus died we died, when He was buried we were buried, when He was resurrected to a new life so were we. By faith, we reckon it so. Count it done. Credit it to our account. So how does this work?

Resurrection leads to life abounding

As believers raised from the dead, we have His mind in us, His abilities, and His resources. His life becomes our life. His point of view. Life on a higher plane.

I looked to see what mindset He had and found it in Philippians 2:8 and 3:10 where Apostle Paul says “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” And then, “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” NKJV

To have His life in me I needed to first see myself in His death, burial, and resurrection. When I have died to self, denied myself, see my old natural person dead, then I can also be raised together with Him to a brand new life. And He promised me an abundant life. But first, for a resurrection to a new life to be possible, there needs to be a death. In surrendering my life to Him, I am denying myself and stating I am dead to myself.

Cross key to abounding life

Jesus says in Luke 9:23-24, Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.”

There it is in the words of Jesus. If I want life as He sees it, I must take up my cross which is an instrument of death, deny my old way of life, and follow Him. Those last three words are so very important.

Success in life abounding

For where He is, there is life abundant. It is not the way of the world nor the success as the secular world sees success, but a success beyond what they can comprehend. Most do not see. Will you open your heart to Jesus and allow Him to show you this incredible life?

As I feed on His word, my old ways, my old programming will be replaced with His mind, His ways. My old programming is the default setting that can easily be in control. But I now have the ability to say no to my default reactions and programming and say yes to His life and mind in me.

God wants to conform each of us to the image of His Son. Not that He wants us to conform ourselves to His son. No. God will do it if we will turn from our default setting and allow Him to dominate our mind. He will set us free from our default settings.

What abounding life is not

Abounding life is not found in how strong we can be. Our circumstances. Our life. Rather, it is in spite of our circumstances. In spite of our weakness. In spite of our daily life. His life overrides everything causing us to abound in hope, love, peace, and joy.

It is our choice. Our default setting or His life freely flowing through us. Which do you want it to be? I would rather have His essence, His Spirit flavoring every minute of my day, rather than my old self. Oh yes, much better.

Words to light your path

Colossians 3:3 For you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ.      

All-powerful Father, You have given us all we need for a victorious life, one where we live above our circumstances and not under them. A life abounding in Your love, peace, and joy. Help us to see it is in denying ourselves and turning to receive Your life.

All scriptures are from the New King James Version.