Fall 2000
The Key to an Abundant Life
Frank Dupree

“The thief comes 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.” John 10:10.

The Lord called apart and greatly blessed Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In time, the family of Israel was led to Egypt where at first, they dwelt peaceably, but gradually became slaves and spent 400 years in bondage.

Then the Lord sent Moses, who brought them into the wilderness, and finally into the Promised Land as a Theocracy under Divine government. Under Joshua and the Judges, Israel prospered, until they asked for a king, desiring to be like other nations.

Eventually, they came under the rule of the Assyrians, Persians, and finally the Romans. They were in bondage in their own land, as the Lord remained silent for 400 years.

Then God sent another Deliverer, His own Son. Jesus did not deliver them from the rule of the Romans, as they had been set free from the Egyptians. Rather, they were set free from their sins and sickness, as this time the Lord had a different plan.

Jesus said that He came to offer a “more abundant” life. But today, the redeemed still cry out to Him, because they have not found this abundant life. Many are still bound by sin and are sick.

Is it that we need yet another deliver, or are we missing something? Rather, there is a “key” that will bring us into this more abundant life. Jesus said that we should not seek after the things of the earth. But if we are not to "seek" these things, how then are we to have this “more abundant” life?

The answer is that we are to “seek first” the Kingdom of God, and then, these “things” will be given to us. Jesus understood that our fulfillment cannot come from the possession of things, but rather from our having inner peace and our being rightly related to the Lord. Therefore, in Luke 17:21, Jesus said that "the Kingdom is within us."

We may say, "If I had more money," or, "If I were not sick, then I could have this abundant life of which Jesus spoke." But Adam and Eve lived in a perfect environment in which everything was provided for their comfort, and they utterly failed. Our need is not for better circumstances, but for a change within us.

When we accepted Jesus as our Saviour, the “seed” of the Kingdom was planted deep within the soil of our being (Matt 13:3-8). This Kingdom can be compared to an “acorn” that has been planted in the soil, which will become a giant oak tree. All it needs is the proper atmosphere in which to grow.

Many do not realize that the abundant life which they seek is within the Kingdom. We must experience the Kingdom growing within us before we can see any manifestation of its provision without. When we neglect the Kingdom of God in order to seek after the things of the world, the Kingdom ceases to mature, and we are not able to partake of this “abundant life” of which Jesus spoke.

In Genesis 1:2, the Spirit of God "brooded" on the face of the waters. He incubated, or meditated on His Plans. The emphasis was first on the "interior." So also, this abundant Life is first within us, then it will be found without.

Each of us also needs to do some "brooding." We must look within ourselves, into the Kingdom of God. Here, we will find a "well of living water" from which we may drink. It is here that the “joy of the Lord” will give us peace and the strength to face all that is before us.

Plant the Word of the Kingdom within your heart, and ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of the things that Jesus said. The “seed of the Kingdom” will begin to grow. Slowly, your circumstances will reflect the changes taking place on the inside.

Even if it should take a long time for "outward" things to change, you will be rejoicing in the "inward" changes that you are experiencing, as the "joy of the Lord" becomes real within.

Now this “abundant life” will have become a reality.