Living Abundantly

Imagine coming home one day to find a stain in your brand new living room carpet. You try everything possible to take out the disoloration. Nothing seems to work. Then someone gives you a special formula guaranteed to remove even the worst of stains. The spot remover is so powerful that it not only takes out the blotch, but it also protects the carpet from ever being blemished again.

This is what God does with our sins. Christ's excruciating death on the cross forever blotted out out unrighteousness. No sin is too deep, no stain too dark, that God cannot cleanse us to a brilliant white through the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

Christ's sacrifice for us on the cross is complete. He saved us from the penalty of sin (John 3:18, Ephesians 2:8). We are being saved from the power of sin (Jude 24-25, II Thessalonians 3:3). And we will be saved from the presence of sin (I John 3:2, Philippians 3:21, I Corinthians 15:51-52).

You have trusted God for the payment of your penalty for sin and for eternal life. Why not trust Him now for power over sin? Remember that as you received Christ by faith, so you shoud walk in faith and receive the abundant life that He promised you.

The Basis of Abundant Living

Read Romans 6:1-23

1. What do you know happened when you became a Christian?
   
2. According to verse 11, what must you do?
   
3. According to verse 13, what is your responsibility?
   
4. According to verse 16, man is a servant either of sin or righteousness. What determines his allegiance?
   
5. Describe the benefits you have already seen from righteous living.
   

Review Romans 6:6, 11, 13, 16 and note the progression:

• Know that you have been crucified with Christ.
• Count yourself dead to sin and alive to Jesus Christ.
• Offer yourself to God.
• Obey God.

Use these four steps to dedicate yourself to serving God rather than sin.

  The Practice of Abundant Living

Read Psalm 37:1-7, 34

1. What wrong attitudes are given in verse 11?
   
2. What is to be your attitude toward the Lord? (Verse 3)
   
3. What must you do to receive the desires of your heart? (Verse 4)
   
4. Why is it necessary to consider verse 5 when you plan your future?
   
5. How can you apply the instruction in verse 7? Be specific.
   
6. What does verse 34 mean to you?
    

Now, review each of the above references and note the progression:

• Do not fret.
• Trust in the Lord.
• Delight yourself in the Lord.
• Commit you way to the Lord.
• Be still before the Lord.
• Wait on the Lord.

The secret to the abundant life is contained in these key words: know, count, offer, obey, fret not, trust, delight, commit, be still, and wait.

Life Application

1. What wrong attitudes are given in verse 11?
   
2. How do you plan to apply these? Be specific.

Adapted from The 10 Basic Steps Toward Christian Maturity, by Bill Bright, co-founder of Campus Crusade for Christ. © Cru. All rights reserved.