Knitted in Abundance

The final product is never completely accurate when an item is built without having plenty of good materials. Sometimes people can use scraps and finish the job. Or maybe the builder can substitute a similar material in order to complete the work. The point is that God is in the process of building new people and He has an unlimited supply of good materials for the job. We will not be junk when God finishes with us because He has absolutely everything we need. Paul talks about the building of his new life in this passage; I obtained mercy… And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 1 Tim 1:13-14 (KJV) We see here that the abundance of God’s grace is available because of Jesus. All of the other abundant gifts that build the complete Christian are accessible in the same way grace is. By faith everything that takes place in our new life will happen in Jesus Christ. The great love of God was brought to earth by Jesus on our behalf. Now through our own faith in Christ we can seek God and ask to be brought into his family.

It is our own fault if our new life seems to have an inadequate amount of building materials. God wants an overflow of every material in our life so that we will have plenty for other people. It is very important that every new member of God’s family begin to study their Bible. The Scriptures will explain the details of God’s great plan to redeem us in Jesus Christ. The words in this Book contain the materials we need to grow if we simply ask. This next verse explains that we are held together with abundant love; I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself.  Col 2:2(NLT) We see here that every child of God is held together with ties of love. Paul assures us of the abundance; They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:12-13 (NLT) The truth is that God loves people even before they come to faith. His mercy just waits for people to get off their high horse and humbly seek Him.

Many people have the mistaken idea that giving up our worldly life to serve God will make us unhappy. They don’t know the truth because they have not experienced a life of faith. Even if we do have worldly riches Paul tell us; Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 1 Tim 6:17 (NLT) This word enjoyment means “the mind adhering with affection to an object”. A person of faith is using their mind to adhere to Jesus Christ. As He fills our life we have many unexplainable joys that sometimes cause the world to wonder what we are so happy about. God not only abundantly supplies what we need to do His work but “richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment”. Anyone who is enjoying the abundance of God will overflow with thanksgiving especially when others are saved.  And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. 2 Cor 4:15 (NLT) What a beautiful life.

We are talking about being knitted in the abundance of God and this is very different than our human understanding of plenty. When we have abundance on earth it is piled up waiting for us and even getting in our way at times. Some people have so much stuff that they can’t even find something when they need it. But spiritual abundance is different because it is given to us when we are involved in active obedience to God. As we need it so to speak. There is a wonderful new world waiting for every faithful servant of God. All of the Bible writers encourage us to live a life worthy of our calling. Peter said; Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:10-11 (KJV) In other words, if we want to be sure of an abundant entrance into Heaven we must live an abundant spiritual life on earth. Long ago Adam fell into sin and death because he disobeyed but the abundance of God can restore us to the high state of obedience and happiness that a Christian longs for.

Happiness in this world should be valued highly but we will never find it in worldly riches. Most people know that riches will bring worry into there life. Paul mentions here that our joy grows as we live for God and increase our knowledge of Him; I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. Phil 1:25 (NLT) In addition to the joy of this life a Christian is looking forward to life in the next world. The Bible promises the ; renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:5-7 (KJV) We are told in another passage that the same Spirit which raised Jesus from the dead will also give us a new eternal life. It is hard to keep from jumping out of the seat when our pastor preaches on that beautiful city where we are going to live someday. The Spirit of God is continually working to influence us to live the abundant life that God has appointed for each of us.

The abundant gifts do not interest people of this world who are self-centered. But Christians are interested in serving others which makes the gifts invaluable. Here are some of the things that God gives abundantly: goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering given in Ro. 2:4. Wisdom and knowledge in Ro. 11:33. Kindness, grace, freedom and forgiveness in Eph. 1:7. Spirit, righteousness, and assurance in Titus 3:6. Abundance and understanding in Col. 2:2. Of course we cannot list everything that God has given but He certainly has plenty of things for us. Today is a good time to wholeheartedly serve God if we really want to be happy. One of the wonderful things about God’s gifts is that the more you give them the more they increase. For example we can try to give away our love but we will only end up having more love for others. It will just become more useful and powerful. Some people say that they just don’t deserve the goodness of God. Remember that everyone is undeserving. We must simply receive His abundance by faith and go forward doing the works of God.