The Abundant Life Filter

By Kirk on June 29, 2024

My Pondering

This filter represents the decision making process that each and every significant decision should be processed by for the ideal outcome, either in this life and/or the next.

Life, namely the abundant life, begins and ends with God. We can't control what happens to us, but we can control our response and therefore influence the result.

In John 10:10 Jesus Himself stated unequivocally this:

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.
I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 10:10

This is the crux of the abundant life.

Life is vast, God is eternal.

Life is intricate, God is ultra detailed oriented.

In the prior verse we read:

I am the door.
If anyone enters by me, he will be saved
and will go in and out and find pasture.

John 10:9

So to find and live the abundant life, we do so by entering and living in relationship with Jesus Christ, by the Spirit, unto the Father. That's 3 in 1 and 1 of 3, the HOLY Trinity. This life process is trinitarian as well: Jesus, Others, You. That is how find and sustain true JOY.

Furthermore Jesus stated command #1 is to:

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind
and with all your strength.'

Mark 12:30

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,
do all to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

Lastly, Jesus shared that through Him we have an opportunity to live abundantly doing great and many things, all things through and by God's will and strength. This includes both is macro and micro will.

I can do all things through Him (Jesus) who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

So therefore we have:

STAGE 1 - Glorify Father God by loving Jesus by abiding with the Spirit.

The next filter level is to consider others before ourselves for read in Scripture:

1Therefore if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2then make My joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose.

3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:1-4

And there is Commandment #2:

The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
No other commandment is greater than these."

Mark 12:31

And there is the ageless Golden rule:

In everything, then, do to others
as you would have them do to you.
For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:12

Let's pursue unity and peace. It's noble and kind to compromise on preferences but we ought not to ever forgo righteous and proven principles.

So then, we should pursue the things of peace,
and the things for edification among each other.

Romans 14:9

If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.

Romans 12:10

So here is the 2nd stage of the filter:

STAGE 2: Be as loving, helpful and peaceful with other people as possible.

Upon flowing down to stage three, we ought to verify and ensure this decision is inclusive to our purpose, that it is in harmony with our 8F's of living a great, fulfilling abundant life and that it brings us toward our goals.

May our yes be an yes and our no be no. We need to focus and do the NBRM .

God wants us to be purposeful in all that we think, feel and do...that we be congruent in talking the walk and walking the talk with integrity and steadfastness.

When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad,
and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord
with steadfast purpose,

Act 11:23

We see from above that we should be glad, exhort others, be faithful with steadfast purpose. Also that since we have received grace, we should also be graceful and to rest in God's grace.

God expects us to use and be excellent stewards of our allotted Time, Talent and Treasure.

His master replied,
'Well done, good and faithful servant!
You have been faithful with a few things;
I will put you in charge of many things.
Enter into the joy of your master!'

Matthew 25:21

You can read the whole story of the Parable of the talents here.

STAGE 3: Your life purpose, harmony and goal pursuing

Lastly, it is what is. Some will, some won't so what's next?

God works first and foremost on His timing, His purpose and based on His understanding. His ways are of course much higher and better than ours so we should always trust and obey the beat of our ability.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and lean not on your own understanding;
6in all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Check this devotional I wrote on Proverbs 3 here

Regardless or the result, we should never be satisfied as there is no finish line. We are called to excel still more yet we are also to learn contentedness and to always trust God.

I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:11-13

Some things are going work out as what we deem successful and some otherwise, but all things shall work out just fine provided we love God and live fulfill His purpose.