33. Abundant Life
Meet Zoe, the overcomer.
In Your Bible Read This
nz09/z1Ioan02.htm#12">1 John 2.12-14 and
nz16/zGalat05.htm#16">Galatians 5.16-26
Here Is Your Memory Verse
Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
nz04/zIoann10.htm#10">John 10.10
Meditate On This Passage
nz16/zGalat02.htm#20">Galatians 2.20
Spend a Minute to Change the World
Pray for Liberia - 3,000,000 people, 37% Christian
An African nation destroyed by war, many believers have fled or died
It will be a long, hard struggle to rebuild.
A. What Is The Overcoming Life?
In nz04/zIoann10.htm#10">John 10.10 the word Jesus uses for life is 'Zoe' in the Greek language. People often think that life is measured by how many possessions we have, but Jesus strongly disagrees: nz03/zLuka12.htm#15">Luke 12.15. Zoe is the life Jesus lived; God's own life, eternal life, abundant life, real and genuine; a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed now, and lasting forever.
1. The life Jesus promises us is the life of Jesus transplanted in us.
True /
False.
B. What Does It Mean To Be Like Jesus?
When God says he is making us into the likeness of his Son, he does not mean our facial appearance but our inner or moral life. God takes his children on a journey of restoration, vz01/zBytie01.htm#26">Genesis 1.26, making us more and more like Jesus, God's Son, sharing his holiness, his mind, his nature and moral excellence.
3. Reflecting the image and likeness of Jesus means...
wearing sandals, a long robe and long hair.
sharing his moral excellence, nature, mind and his holiness.
dressing in old, worn-out clothes and having bad breath.
not smoking, not drinking, not dancing, not playing cards.
We want to be like Jesus, but we often make the mistake of trying to help God by striving to be good, or by obeying religious laws. We make every kind of human effort and then get disappointed because we fail. We soon find there is a fierce conflict inside us between two opposing natures, our old sinful nature and our new God loving nature. So our heart desires to do what pleases God but often we do the very opposite: nz16/zGalat05.htm#17">Galatians 5.17-21; nz13/zRimli07.htm#15">Romans 7.15-25
4. In order to become like Jesus, we must observe a set of religious rules.
True /
False.
C. How Can We Release The Life of God?
-a- Choose To Live By The Spirit
It is better to allow the Holy Spirit to rule your life every day than to try and live life by the rule book: nz16/zGalat05.htm#1">Gal. 5.1, 16 and 18. Let the Holy Spirit bring the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control into your life:
nz16/zGalat05.htm#22">Galatians 5.22-23
The Two Wings Of God's Dove
People chase the gifts of the Spirit, but the fruit of the Spirit is also very important because it is the release of the character of Jesus. When you see fruit you have the sure proof that God is working in your life to make you more and more like Jesus. The fruit of a changed life is also a good testimony. The Holy Spirit plants the fruit seeds in our hearts but we must let the seed grow into a Christ-like life for all to see.Just because a man might have learned how to use the power gifts of the Spirit does not guarantee a good moral character or a holy life. Always look for the fruit.
5. What are the two wings of God's dove, the Holy Spirit?
The gifts of the Spirit, and the fruit of the Spirit.
Knowledge of the Bible, and having a daily prayer time.
Kissing the icons, and observing the fast days.
-b- Choose To Execute That Old Life
Read the list in nz16/zGalat05.htm#19">Galatians 5.19 for a picture of man when he lives only for himself. That ugly old nature comes down to us from the first man Adam, who deliberately disobeyed God to follow Satan's lies.
God left him, and Adam's spirit, by which he knew God, died within him; and he was left with only his body and soul. From now on man's own interests rule his life. He wants his own way not God's ways. It is that ugly old nature that Paul says we should crucify, that is, execute, put to death. nz16/zGalat05.htm#24">Galatians 5.24.
How Do You Crucify Yourself?
Try it! Stand, pretend you have a cross, a hammer and nails for feet and hands. That's right! You can't do it! As much as you try you cannot kill your ugly old nature. But here is good news:Jesus Has Done It For You.
All you have to do is to take that death and a new life by faith. Here's how.
In nz13/zRimli01.htm">Romans chapters 1 to 5 God drives man into a corner. Man is a helpless sinner and cannot save himself until he finds that Christ died for him. This brings man into peace with God. nz13/zRimli05.htm">Romans 5 to 7.25 leads the believer as a helpless saint into a corner of despair crying out for rescue: nz13/zRimli07.htm#24">Rom. 7.24. Finding the answer brings man into peace with himself.
Match these words with the definitions shown below:
A. Peace with God, B. Jesus Christ, C. Execute, D. Reckon.
6. Put to death the old Adamic nature.
A,
B,
C,
D.
7. This delivers us from our sinful nature.
A,
B,
C,
D.
8. This comes from being justified by faith.
A,
B,
C,
D.
9. Consider yourself dead to sin and alive to God.
A,
B,
C,
D.
-c- Finally, Keep In Step With The Spirit.
In nz16/zGalat05.htm#25">Gal. 5.25 Paul says that now we have true and real life by the Spirit, let us march with him in line like a soldier, prosperously, seeing things turn out well. But watch yourself, Paul also warns us about some temptations in this powerful Spirit-led life: nz16/zGalat05.htm#26">5.26 - nz16/zGalat06.htm">6.2.
10. If we live in the Spirit, we...
can do anything we wish.
should act like Spirit-led people.
should handle poisonous snakes.
Something To Do Before Next Time
Meditate upon the revelation given in nz13/zRimli06.htm#1">Romans 6.1-6 and every day
confess the truths out aloud and receive them by faith and prayer.
Ask God to make the truth real and experienced by you.
Make a note of the differences as they begin to appear.
India (4) | ||
| People Name | Language | Population |
| Kanjari (Kagari, Kangari) | Kanjari | 55,400 |
| Kawar (Kamari) | Kawari | 33,800 |
| Khirwar | Khirwar | 34,300 |
| Kisan | Kishanganjia | 116,000 |
| Korwa (Ernga, Singli) | Korwa | 14,200 |
| Kurichiya | Kurichia | 12,100 |
| Majhwar | Majhwar | 28,000 |
| Maria (Madiya, Muria) | Maria | 134,000 |
Written Diploma Work
Study nz16/zGalat02.htm#20">Gal. 2.20;
nz19/zKolos01.htm#29">Col. 1.29;
nz17/zEfesi03.htm#20">Eph. 3.20;
nz18/zFilip02.htm#13">Phil. 2.13 and write one page
(three of these windows) to explain Paul's faith approach to life and ministry.