Because of the continued efforts to twist the meaning of life more abundantly in Jesus Christ, I need to explain what abundant life truly is. The practitioners of the prosperity doctrine, which is a false doctrine, have lead many to feel that Jesus Christ guaranteed Christians earthly material wealth. A read of a few more words from Christ along with the few cited by vipers aka pulpit pimps helps to clear up any ambiguity regarding what Jesus Christ promised those who believe on Him.

Notice that Jesus says that He is the door and later in this same chapter He mentions He is the “good shepherd”. He notes that all others are false and thieves. Then comes verse 10, about a thief stealing and killing and destroying and Him coming that the sheep (us) might have life and have it more abundantly. Verse 10 is often abused and misused by people in a material sense. When they lose something, they claim it’s the devil coming to steal and when the prosperity heretics speak of their riches they claim it’s life more abundantly. Nothing could be further from the truth. In this scripture, Jesus was not talking about material wealth or physical health at all. Jesus often had to break down exactly what He had said previously, because many simply did not get it. Even today, with a Bible full of scriptures many people still don’t get it. But see below how Jesus explains.

Notice that Jesus says He gives his sheep eternal life, and they shall never perish. This is what Jesus was speaking of regarding “life, and that they may have it more abundantly”. Eternal life is the reward Jesus offers to those who believe on Him. Those who refuse to accept Him as the only true way to salvation are not His sheep, because they do not believe His words when He said that He is the door. Jesus was not talking about Satan trying to take your car from you, He was talking about Satan trying to take your eternal soul and if you believe on Jesus Christ nobody including Satan can ever snatch you from His hand. Satan wants to steal your soul, kill your spiritual inheritance and destroy your eternity. Jesus brings you eternal life and an abundance in that eternal life related to your faithfulness here on earth. It’s got nothing to do with you getting something here in this life, but rather when He raises your soul up from what would be the grave. Jesus is the only way to salvation and that is what He wants everyone to understand.

The Lord will reward us each according to our works.

So follow and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Understand your rewards for your good deeds here play out in heavenly rewards for you later. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ, not works. Otherwise, Jesus would not have said that He is the door. Believe on Jesus and you will have eternal life. Believe and do his will, to ensure you receive the best of heavenly rewards. The Lord knows his sheep, he knows if you choose to follow him that you will also work to do his will.