Thursday, 21st December, 2023
By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” (John 10:10 AMPC).
Our opening verse is so heart-warming and enlivening. It clearly states a specific reason for which Jesus came, which is for you to have and enjoy life to the full. Take a moment to meditate on this: He came for you to enjoy the transcendent life that He’s given you. That’s His plan and He doesn’t want anything to cheat you out of it.
This is contrary to what religion teaches. In religion, people may feel compelled to sacrifice themselves to please God. However, in Christ, it’s different. He died and was sacrificed for you. He gave His life for you to have His life.
The Bible says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). In 1 John 3:16, the Apostle John reveals, "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us…." Thanks be unto God; after laying down His life for us, He was raised for our justification. And on that basis, you’re to have and enjoy life to the full, till it overflows.
It may be challenging for some to believe that He came for them to have life and enjoy it, especially if they've had a different experience for a long time. Some others may wonder, can one truly enjoy life while battling sickness, pain, weakness or infirmity of the body?
The answer is evident—no! But as already stated, it’s the reason Jesus gave us His life, which is uninfectable, a life that’s superior to sickness and disease. 1 John 5:11-12 says, “…this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life….” You have that life now; it’s the God-life. Enjoy it!
It’s your heavenly Father’s delight to see you healthy, vibrant, strong, joyful, and brimming with life. Therefore, embrace His plan for you to have and enjoy life to the full. Be exuberant with joy as you contemplate the life of glory, dominion, abundant grace and peace that He’s given you in Christ Jesus. Hallelujah!
PRAYER/CONFESSION
"Dear Father, I embrace your plan for me to have and enjoy life to the full. I’m exuberant with joy today as I contemplate the life of glory, dominion, abundant grace, and peace that you’ve given me in Christ, in Jesus’ Name. Amen."
FURTHER STUDY
1 John 5:11-12 KJV; 1 Timothy 6:17 NIV
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Revelation 13:1-10; Nahum 1-3
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Acts 2:14-24; 2 Chronicles 35