brother Paul
Member
Now let’s examine this verse…John 10:10 says “The thief comes to steal, kill, and to destroy, but I am come that they might have life (Zoe), and that they might have it (Zoe) more abundantly (perissos).”
Life: Zoe – vitality, animated, usually applied to spiritual life (as in aionios zoas) as opposed to biological life (called bios)
Abundantly: perissos - exceeding some number or measure or rank or need; superior, extraordinary, surpassing, uncommon
It is clear that John here is speaking of Zoas life not Bios life….and the “more abundantly” is referring to a more abundant form of this life (Zoe).
You see the spirit man that makes human beings a living soul, just like angels, are created to exist forever. No one ceases to exist. Eternal life is not a continuation of this bios type life. It is NOT about the quantity of life, but a new quality of life. The one we were always meant to enjoy. Only those who know God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent have this quality of life. Only these can exist in the presence of God.
This passage (John 10:10) does not speak of His giving us an abundant “bios” life, OR a life of abundance. It is the promise of the Spirit of Christ in us (the hope of glory) by which we are His children (a new order of being, a new creation). It is not something we obtain upon death but it is a present reality that will never cease. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ in them are not His.
But yet, I hear and am asked all the time by Christian men and women “Where is this abundance we are supposed to have?” They somehow think that they are supposed to have wealth and health and the things of this world, but this is not speaking of such things.
Even so, if one thinks of the time and the people Jesus said this to, who lived then in what they thought modern times, to get from Damascus to Jerusalem took days and they travelled by foot or donkey. They had no entertainment or the joy of snacking or going out in the evening for a fun time. They had no transportation, no electric lights, no water from the faucets. In fact each day one would have to carry large pots to a well or river and carry water to the home making some days a number of trips just to drink and cook let alone wash their few sets of clothes. If they wanted some bread they had to grind the wheat first to make their own flour. Life was continuously laborious.
Now we on the other hand have all sorts of luxuries, foods to choose from, running water, healthcare, transportation, entertainment…and much more, and yet daily we complain and find ourselves stressed and bored. Therefore even if the materialist interpretation were true (which it is not) we in fact actually do have a more abundant life, but sadly I find less and less gratitude and more and more attitude.
Please, my brother and sisters, spread the gratitude. Be of good cheer. Be grateful for all you have or the little you have, but most of all rejoice for you know God not just OF God. You know Christ not just OF Christ. Believe Him not just IN Him…and pray for our family in other lands where they are oppressed and slaughtered for their faith for one day such things could come to your land. Remember from whence cometh your wine and your flax…if your day is a day with God it is a good day. Amen
Life: Zoe – vitality, animated, usually applied to spiritual life (as in aionios zoas) as opposed to biological life (called bios)
Abundantly: perissos - exceeding some number or measure or rank or need; superior, extraordinary, surpassing, uncommon
It is clear that John here is speaking of Zoas life not Bios life….and the “more abundantly” is referring to a more abundant form of this life (Zoe).
You see the spirit man that makes human beings a living soul, just like angels, are created to exist forever. No one ceases to exist. Eternal life is not a continuation of this bios type life. It is NOT about the quantity of life, but a new quality of life. The one we were always meant to enjoy. Only those who know God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent have this quality of life. Only these can exist in the presence of God.
This passage (John 10:10) does not speak of His giving us an abundant “bios” life, OR a life of abundance. It is the promise of the Spirit of Christ in us (the hope of glory) by which we are His children (a new order of being, a new creation). It is not something we obtain upon death but it is a present reality that will never cease. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ in them are not His.
But yet, I hear and am asked all the time by Christian men and women “Where is this abundance we are supposed to have?” They somehow think that they are supposed to have wealth and health and the things of this world, but this is not speaking of such things.
Even so, if one thinks of the time and the people Jesus said this to, who lived then in what they thought modern times, to get from Damascus to Jerusalem took days and they travelled by foot or donkey. They had no entertainment or the joy of snacking or going out in the evening for a fun time. They had no transportation, no electric lights, no water from the faucets. In fact each day one would have to carry large pots to a well or river and carry water to the home making some days a number of trips just to drink and cook let alone wash their few sets of clothes. If they wanted some bread they had to grind the wheat first to make their own flour. Life was continuously laborious.
Now we on the other hand have all sorts of luxuries, foods to choose from, running water, healthcare, transportation, entertainment…and much more, and yet daily we complain and find ourselves stressed and bored. Therefore even if the materialist interpretation were true (which it is not) we in fact actually do have a more abundant life, but sadly I find less and less gratitude and more and more attitude.
Please, my brother and sisters, spread the gratitude. Be of good cheer. Be grateful for all you have or the little you have, but most of all rejoice for you know God not just OF God. You know Christ not just OF Christ. Believe Him not just IN Him…and pray for our family in other lands where they are oppressed and slaughtered for their faith for one day such things could come to your land. Remember from whence cometh your wine and your flax…if your day is a day with God it is a good day. Amen