Life- to the extreme

I was thinking this morning about some things and just started writing things down, and it developed into this:

"...And by His [Jesus] stripes we are healed." ~Isaiah 53:5

"who Himself [Jesus] bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness- by whose stripes you were healed." ~1 Peter 2:24

"...healing all kinds of sickness and all kids of disease among the people...they brought to Him [Jesus] all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics and paralytics, and He healed them." ~ Matthew 5:23-24

"When evening had come, they brought to Him [Jesus] many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: 'He Himself took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses.'" ~ Matthew 8:16-17

So, when Jesus was beaten, before He was nailed to the cross, He purchased our healing. He carried all our sickness and disease. He took it all. He bore it all. Because He was beaten, we are healed. By His injury we were healed. So, since He already bore our sickness, disease, and pain, why should we bear it again? He already made a way for us to walk in health- nothing missing, nothing broken...nothing out of place, nothing weak- full of strength and vigor for life. Abundant life.

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and that they more have it more abundantly." John 10:10

Jesus came so we can have abundant life, not dragging through the mud, barely making it life. ABUNDANT LIFE! =D That sounds good to me!

Abundant life...what does that look like?

Hmmm...well, abundance- having more than enough, not just a little more than needed, but this great big overflow! Overflow of what? Life.

So, life is just overflowing out of us. Abundant life. That brings to mind things like:
-Joy, certainly not depression. No matter what the situation, just a joy that bubbles over. A happiness and excitement about life that isn't limited by the circumstances. Even in the very worst circumstances there is something to smile about. If nothing else: God loves us! Yet, there's even so much more than that most of us can be thankful for.
So, joy, what else?

-Well, certainly walking in complete health. Abundant life, unhindered by pain or sickness. So, if we're completely healthy is that abundance, or just enough for our own self. I think abundance would look like being so full of this life of God that it overflows to other people. It could look like it did with Peter:

"So that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed." ~Acts 5:15-16

Or what happened with Peter and John:

"And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, 'Look at us.' So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, 'Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise and walk.' And he took him by the hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them- walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God." ~Acts 3:2-9

Then why should we be able to do this? Jesus is the Healer, not us, right? Yes, Jesus Christ is the Healer. However, this is what He said before He returned to heaven:

"'And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will speak with new tongues, they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.'" ~Mark 16:17-18

Wow! Just think about that! Then, after you've gotten a hold of what it says, start living it! Enjoy the extreme life God has for you- abundant life! =D