Dallas Willard said, “If it doesn’t work at all, or only in fits and starts, it’s because we do not give ourselves to it in a way that allows our lives to be taken over by it.”
Jesus came to give people eternal life. Unfortunately, most people of faith have defined “eternal life” as what happens after we die. Life in eternity is certainly included, but eternal life–the life we receive from Jesus–starts now. Jesus said it this way in John 10:10, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” This abundant life is a life of joy, peace, and contentment. The dominating emotions are love and gratitude. With this life comes purpose, meaning, and fulfillment.
It is a life of freedom from fear, anger, worry, and lust.
It is the healing of the soul, mind, emotions, and will.
It is what you and I were made for.
It is possible and available to everyone.
However, most people know very little, if anything, of this life. The average Christ-follower is plagued with frustrations and fears. There is a high level of worry and anxiety in his or her life. Instead of freedom, there is bondage… to substances, opinions of others, pornography, and/or work. There is very little joy and maybe even less peace. Why is this?
The main reason people of faith are not experiencing the life Jesus came to bring them is because we are not approaching it in the right way. Like the earlier Dallas Willard quote states, “If it (your eternal life) doesn’t work at all, or only in fits and starts, it’s because you are not giving yourself to it in the right way.” What he means is that we are not going all-in on the deal. We are only putting in a small effort. We are only going in with half-measures. And half-measures and small efforts simply don’t work.
Jesus made it clear what the cost of abundant life is in Luke 14:26. He said,
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and
mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and
even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”
Of course, Jesus is not espousing that we actually hate our family and ourselves. He is simply saying that our love and commitment to Him must be so great that all other “loves” look like hatred by comparison. If we do not love Him supremely, more than our family and our own lives, we will not taste the abundant life. The abundant life is not possible unless we are totally committed to Jesus. What does this commitment look like?
We must come to Him with the belief that what He offers is the best deal in town.
We must come to Him as if He is the smartest, most intelligent person who ever lived.
We must come to Him believing that everything He said about life is true and right.
We must come to Him as Lord.
If you do not come to Him in this way, then you will not look to Him in this life. You will thank God for the gift of living forever in eternity and then go on living your life exactly as you were before. This is not the offer on the table. In order to experience the fullness of life, you must trust Him with your entire life. No more compartmentalization. You must trust Him and look to Him for insight when it comes to your finances, sexuality, relationships, parenting, entertainment, social media, and work. King Solomon said it best in Proverbs 3:5-6,
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
If you are not satisfied with the quality of your life, maybe it’s time that you begin to approach your life in a different way. Henry Ford once said, “If you continue to do what you have always done, you will continue to get what you have always got.” Today is a great time to take a different approach. Take the time to surrender your entire life to Christ. Do it again tomorrow and the next day and the next. Before you know it, you will begin to see a difference. You will be stepping into eternal life.
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