The Problem of Abundant Living

I've mentioned before that I read all types of books, listen to CD's, most especially the bible and things written that help me meditate more deeply on the things of God.  This morning I was thinking about the title of my blog and was reminded that so many people seem to believe that abundant living is beyond their reach.  It is something they can only hope for but never attain.  This thought took me in search of a book I read several years ago that contained a chapter with the title, "The Problem of Abundant Living".  I thought I might share some thoughts that I came away with after reading that chapter. 

Here are some misconceptions about abundant living:
1)  It does not require a long life on this earth to live well.  A person can either live well for the short period of time God gives them or can waste many years of a long life by being absorbed in themselves.
2)  Living well does not require secular knowledge. You do not have to have a college education to live well-but you do have to have a knowledge that remembers your Creator.
3) It does not require material wealth to live well.  Jesus said, "A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he posesses." Luke 12:15

 So what are some truths that help us to live abundantly:
1)  Life must have a "center".  There must be something we live our lives for, a point of reference.  For me, Jesus is that center.  The focus of my life the thing I can return to.  Apostle Paul said, "For to me to live is Christ."  Jesus is the "way, the truth and the life."
2)  Life must be lived w/optimism.  Optimism is an attitude for success.  It says, "If God be for us, who can be against us."  Optimism is attractive and draws people toward a greater hope.  Wouldn't you rather eat with a person that enjoys the delicious taste/texture of a donut than someone that can only gripe about the hole in the donut and fails to appreciate the taste/texture?
3) Must be hesitant to find fault and criticize.  If I remain conscious of my own imperfections, I will be more tolerant of faults in others.  Fault finding is a tool many use to build themselves up while condemning another.  Don't be discouraged when others find fault with you.  Jesus was the only sinless person to ever live.  We are not ever going to please everyone-but, we can do what's right and that's all that matters anyway.  Let others criticize, rest in the truth that you have done what is right according to God.  As Peter says, "For it is better if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing."  I Peter 3:17
4)  Accept that other people have a viewpoint and it may be different than yours.  Differing viewpoints are no different than differing hair colors-it is all relative to the individual.  Of course I am not talking about a person that will follow their own will with neglect or disregard for God's. As God's creation, we should all have the mind of Christ who said, "Not as I will, but as thou wilt."   This is merely to say that culture, early home life, life experiences, etc... give each of us a different perspective in life.  Therefore, in matters of indifference to God, we should follow the advice of Paul in Romans 14;19-"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another."
5)  Easily admitting when we have been wrong.  Some of the greatest people of God have made mistakes.  Moses, Peter, David (a man after God's own heart).  What set these apart is their ability to confess their sins to both God and man.  Many try to avoid mistakes just by doing nothing at all-but James warns "Therefore to him that knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin."  Doing nothing because of fear that we will make a mistake is a sin to avoid.  Admitting we're wrong or that we've made a mistake is just saying that you are wiser today than you were yesterday.
6)  Forgiveness is necessary to live abundantly.  We cannot receive forgiveness from God if we do not forgive others. (Matthew 6:15) Forgiveness requires us to forget.  Forgetting all wrongs suffered and moving forward to new life.  Joseph is an excellent example of this.  Though his brothers wronged him, Joseph was so glad to see his brothers that his heart was opened and he moved forward to help them-knowing that God had a greater plan all along.  So many think that if they forgive, then justice is not served.  Truly forgiving requires mercy-something undeserved.  That is what God does for us-He shows us mercy when we come to Him obediently.  We deserve death, but He gives us mercy.  James says, "God shall execute judgment without mercy, to those that hath showed no mercy."-James 2:13
7) Being unafraid helps us live abundantly.  Fear can be overcome by faith, hope and love (I Corinthians 13:13).  Even if we lose a few battles along the way, we can still win the war.  God+me=majority:)