John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

What do you think about when you hear abundant life? Mansions with pools, servants and a large estate? How about friends and family, lots and lots of children? How about fame, or power, or title?

I once thought along those lines until Christ gave me a more abundant life.

Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

I have grown in Christ. I might not have yet come to the full measure of that which God wills in His design for me, but the abundant life isn’t things being delivered, it is in the living itself.

John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

1 John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

Jesus will share His life with us as much as we will allow it. There is the abundance. If our will looks to seek things, those desires take up room in our hearts meant for Christ. If my thoughts are of Him rather than of my selfish desires, then it is easier to see how He works in me to provide this abundant life.

2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Yesterday I left you with the thought about being able to tell the difference between Satan’s hiss and God’s whisper. Here in this verse is a prime example. The issue at hand, the devil’s device is unforgiveness. For God is forgiving, Satan is the antithesis of Christ, in opposition, so unforgiving.

God is love, Satan spreads hate. God is merciful, Satan is vengeful. God is just, Satan is corrupt. God is true, Satan is a liar. God is gracious, Satan is spiteful.

God desires to share His character with His children, Satan seeks to stop your growth in Christ. Satan wants to taint every good thing from God.

2 Timothy 3:2-5 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

The antitheses of Paul’s life in Christ.

2 Timothy 3:10-11 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

One more comparative.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.