When we often think about enjoying life, we focus on how to live a blessed and highly favored life. Typically, whatever we set out to do gets blessed, whether job-related, health, relationships, finances, or our well-being. As a result, when we think of how God explains gaining the life He died to provide, which is life and life abundantly (John 10:10), it seems complicated and sometimes unnecessary.
A person once sat with their doctor and asked, “What does it take to live a healthy life.” The doctor responded by saying they need to exercise at least three days a week for at least 30 minutes; they need to eat a healthy diet, eat nothing after 6 pm, get at least eight hours of sleep per night, not smoke, not a lot of alcohol and no drugs. The person’s response to the doctor was, “How do I have any fun with that list.” The doctor said, “If fun (provided their perspective) is your goal, working a stressful job to make a lot of money, creating bad eating habits, and little exercise, then a healthy life may not become your reality.”
We often state that we would love to live blessed, and the Lord says Amen, Amen! He states that He provides this when we reverence Him with our decision-making and lifestyle (Psalm 112:1 -3). When we live a life of wisdom gained through prayer (James 1:5 -9) and His knowledge (Proverbs 24:3 -4), He will bless us with riches. We also say that we would love for our families to be filled with peace and love. Christ responds that this can be gained through the growth of the Holy Spirit in our lives (Ephesians 3:14 -21), the Holy Spirit that He has faithfully placed in us at the point of salvation (Titus 3:4 -8), and He will sustain until the rapture (Ephesians 1:13 -14) or our passing (John 14:16 -17). However, for the Spirit to rule our lives, we must deny ourselves (Luke 14:26 -27), renew our minds (Romans 12:2), and practice the Word of God (Hebrews 5:14). When we walk with God in this manner, we become drunk with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:15 -18). Drunk with the Spirit leads the husband in the home to become like Christ, the wife, the church, or the single mom, sanctifying the home (1 Corinthians 7:14) and protecting the children. These are some of the results of healthy spiritual living. This is why Christ died (John 10:10). God desires to bless us with a rich life on earth and in heaven, but like the doctor’s answer do we want quantity or quality? Quantity alone can make us poor in heaven (Revelation 3:15 -18), whereas a quality life can make us rich on earth and in heaven.
Be blessed by the life for which Christ willingly died to provide. Resurrection Day should be celebrated all year.
Happy Easter/Resurrection Day!!