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iLive - the Live Initiative

 Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

            In John 10:10 Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” The latter part of this verse reads, “I have come that you might have life.” What kind of life? Abundant life. John 10:10 from the Amplified Bible reads, “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].”


            An abundant life is a life that overflows. It is a life marked by purpose instead of emptiness. Only Jesus can fill the emptiness of the human heart. Psalms 107:9 says, “For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness.” An abundant life is a life of peace instead of fear and anxiety. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”


            The Scriptures give the following instructions on how we should live:


•               We are to live holy. I Peter 1:16 says, “because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

•               We are to live a separated life. II Corinthians 6:17 says, “Therefore ‘Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.’” Why are we to live separated lives? The Apostle Paul answers this question in II Corinthians 6:16, “And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.”

•               We are to live an Overcoming life. I John 5:4 says, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” 

•               We are to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord. I John 3:22 says, “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.”

•               We are to live a life of communion and fellowship. Hebrews 10:25 instructs us “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”


Jesus brings us into an abundant life. When we enter into this abundant life, we will experience the joy of the Lord and receive a new strength.

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