In reading Paul’s letters in the New Testament, did you ever notice how many times he uses the words: abounding, abundant, abound, abundance, sufficient? It sounds like the normal Christian life should be really awesome, right? Let’s see what I found this week.

First of all the definition of abounding

– great quantities, well supplied, filled, rich.

Abounding in hope – Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NKJV

Abounding in love –  And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment. Phil. 1:9 NKJV

Abounding in good works – Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.  1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV

Abundance of grace – For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17 NKJV

Whoa! Wait a minute! What did that just say? Did I read it right? Did I hear right? Reign in life? Really? Reign?

Could that mean what it says?

But, what about ‘reality’? Monday morning. Wednesday supper time, etc.  Reign?

Don’t we normally live under the circumstances?

Don’t the happenings of our day determine how we feel? How we do life?

Abundant love, grace, knowledge, good works. Sufficiency in all things.

Have you not thought “But, you don’t understand all I have to put up with, all that is expected of me.”

That is true, but the Bible is more true(I know that is poor grammar).

How does abounding life work?

If we live from our own resources we won’t abound in anything, at least, not for very long. But what if we live from Jesus’ resources. He doesn’t run out. He has unlimited love, peace, joy. He has patience and strength.

I lived for many years from my resources. Saved and trying to do life right, to be a good Christian. It was a difficult lesson that seemed to take forever, and with actually no end in sight. I couldn’t seem to understand these scripture passages. So God lovingly but persistently crowded me to a corner where I gave up on myself. That is what He was waiting for. Then He could begin to live through me for me. It became His life with His unlimited resources.

Yes! We can reign in life. Be over our circumstances and not under the circumstances. The mundane things in life are transformed by His presence. Life sure looks different seated with Christ in the heavenlies looking down on my life. My ordinary life is made extraordinary!

Let me encourage you to take God at His word. I’ll write later on what has to happen first for this life to be available to every believer.

Words to light your path –

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV

Lord God, open our eyes to see the life abounding in all You have for us. May we delight ourselves as You smile down on us providing whatever we need to live a life of faith pleasing to You.