But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
—Ephesians 2:4-5; Romans 8:1-2 (NIV)
I am alive with Jesus because of His great love! Do I get that? I’m ALIVE. And alive with Him, I THRIVE—not just survive! I flourish—not just flounder or struggle! I’ve been saved by His Grace and not by anything I might accomplish. Jesus never condemns. He sets me free from the law of sin and death. His Spirit gives me life.
“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy,” Jesus said. “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10, NLT). The enemy wants to steal your understanding of your identity in Jesus. Satan will lie about your identity until he destroys your belief in God's promise of a rich and fulfilling life. The enemy's purpose is to replace the peace and contentment of your joyful life in Jesus with the frustration of fear, failure, and fatigue.
Jesus states His truth in John 10:10. His purpose—His promise—is to give you a rich and rewarding life. The NIV version says, "life to the full." Other translations call Jesus' life for you, "abundant." My identity in Jesus frees me from the condemnation of the enemy and reveals a rich and fulfilling life. I'm rich because Jesus died for me and imparted the wealth of my Father's kingdom. I'm fulfilled with His promise. I lack nothing. I’m overflowing in His abundance.
The Holy Spirit wants me to do more than survive. He wants me to thrive in Jesus—to pray and believe from a position of trust instead of fear. When I know my worth in Jesus—that He deemed me worthy of His righteousness, I know who I am. When I realize my identity in Jesus, I know I’m accepted. I have His approval of love on the Cross. Nothing that comes against me has any chance to prosper.
I am rich in His mercy—brought to abundant life by His redeeming Grace. No lie of the enemy will shake my faith in what Jesus says is true.
© 2020 Lynn Lacher
www.lynnlacher.com/2020/03/thrive-with-jesus.html
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