A fulfilled life?

558 a fulfilled lifeJesus made it clear that he came so that those who accept him might live full lives. He said: "I have come that they may have life in abundance" (John 10,10). I ask you: "What is a full life?" Only when we know what life is like in abundance can we judge whether the promise of Jesus Christ is actually true. If we only examine this question from the standpoint of the physical aspect of life, the answer to it is quite simple and it would probably be basically always the same regardless of the particular place of life or culture. Good health, strong family ties, good friendships, sufficient income, interesting, challenging and successful work, recognition from others, the right to have a say, variety, healthy food, sufficient rest or leisure time would certainly be mentioned.
If we changed our perspective and looked at life from a biblical perspective, the list would look very different. Life goes back to a Creator, and although it initially refused humanity to live in close relationship with it, it loves people and has a plan to bring them back to their Heavenly Father. This promised plan to divine salvation is revealed to us in the story of God's dealings with us humans. The work of his son Jesus Christ has paved the way back to him. This includes the overshadowing promise of eternal life, which we lead together with him in intimate father-child relationship.

The priorities that define our lives are significantly influenced by the Christian perspective, and our definition of a fulfilled life also looks completely different.
At the top of our list would probably be a reconciled relationship with God, as well as the hope of eternal life, the forgiveness of our sins, the purity of our conscience, a clear sense of purpose, the participation in God's purpose here and now, the reflection of the divine Nature in the imperfection of this world, as well as touching our fellow human beings with God's love. The spiritual aspect of a fulfilled life triumphs over the desire for complete physical-physical fulfillment.

Jesus said: “Whoever wants to keep his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and for the sake of the gospel will keep it. For what good does it help a person to gain the whole world and to harm his soul? " (Markus 8,35-36). So you could book all the items on the first list for yourself and still lose eternal life - life would be wasted. If, on the other hand, you can claim the items listed on the second list, your life will be crowned with abundant success in the very own sense of the word, even if you do not see yourself blessed with all of the items on the first list.

We know from the Old Testament that God was closely related to the tribes of Israel. He confirmed this with a covenant that he made with them on Mount Sinai. It included an obligation to obey his commandments and blessings in the event of obedience or curses that they would receive as a result of disobedience (5. Mo 28; 3. Mon 26). The promised blessings that were to follow covenant observance were largely material - healthy livestock, good harvests, victories over enemies of the state, or rain at a given time of year.

But Jesus came to make a new covenant based on his sacrificial death on the cross. This came with promises far beyond the physical blessings of "health and prosperity" promised by the Old Covenant made under the Mount Sinai. The New Covenant kept "better promises" (Hebrews 8,6) ready, which include the gift of eternal life, the forgiveness of sins, the gift of the Holy Spirit working within us, a close father-child relationship with God and more. These promises hold eternal blessings in store for us - not just for this life, but for all time.

"The fulfilled life" that Jesus offers you is much richer and more profound than a good life in the here and now. We all want to live a good life in this world - no one would seriously prefer the pain to well-being! Seen from a different perspective and judged from a distance, it becomes clear that your life can only find meaning and purpose in spiritual riches. Jesus remains true to his word. He promises you «true life in its fullness» - and now lets it be yours.

by Gary Moore