John 10:10 says, "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)." (Amplified). The abundant life that Jesus has secured for every child of God, is one that is filled with purpose, freedom from the bondage of sin and its effects, and victory at every turn! The apostle Paul often refers to the victorious life a believer should be living, in the midst of turmoil and dangerous times. In fact, in Philippians 4:13, he goes as far to describe how someone living this abundant life will react when facing very difficult and challenging circumstances. He wrote, "I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]." (Amplified).
Paul gave us a very simple, yet profound key that would unlock a life of supernatural power and strength, to combat every obstacle in life that would threaten to hold us back from living the full, abundant life Jesus intended us to live. This key is learning to live - not dependant on our own knowledge or strength - but dependant on the treasure that lives within us!
A magnificent, masterpiece...
In order for us to activate the power inside of us, we must have a very clear picture of exactly what resides within us as born again believers. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says that as we look into the word of God, like a mirror, we will be able to see a clear reflection of the miracle Jesus created inside of us - the day we surrendered our lives to Him. The word teaches that at the point of our salvation, The Holy Spirit recreated our spirits into a brand new creation, one that resembled and displayed His brilliant, handiwork! In fact, in the book of Ephesians 2:10, it says, His work inside us was so glorious that when it was all finished, He declared us to be His own workmanship!
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, describe this magnificent, masterpiece of a creation as being a temple! "Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own,..." In the Greek language, the word temple, is translated naos. Naos is described as being a highly decorated shrine! Now, I have seen some highly decorated shrines, and believe me, they do not look very appealing or beautiful to me, however, I believe that Paul was putting emphasis on the fact that firstly, the miracle God created inside of us was fashioned by His own creative nature and it resembles a spectacular display of beauty and perfection! Even the most beautiful scenes in nature cannot compare to the creative brilliance He fashioned inside of us, because nature is only a shadow of what it was before sin corrupted it. But our recreated spirits have not been tainted by sin, they are perfect, and untouched by sin and its destructive curse!
2 Corinthians 4:7, describes this magnificent, masterpiece God created inside of us by calling it a treasure! "However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves."
The word treasure is the Greek word thesauros, a word that describes a treasure, or a treasure chamber, a place of safekeeping where riches and fortunes are kept. Greek scholar, Rick Renner, in his book, "Sparkling Gems from the Greek", describes this treasure chamber, as presenting the idea of a specially built room designed to be used for the safe keeping of massive riches and wealth. By using this word, Paul declares that we, as believers, are the possessors of riches beyond belief. We are the chambers, or treasuries where God has placed this fortune. Rick Renner goes on to say that within us, is a cache of wealth so immense that its reserves can never be completely dug out, unexplored, discovered, or discerned. These are spiritual assets beyond our wildest imagination!
This magnificent treasure within us, is the inexhaustible, limitless supply of the Spirit's power! Residing in every child of God is the immeasurable supply of Holy Ghost power that when activated, becomes unstoppable against any adverse circumstance or difficult challenge we will ever face. When we begin to live from the treasure within us, nothing will be impossible. The abundant life of purpose, freedom and victory will be our daily reality!
André and Jenny Roebert are the pastors and co-founders of River Ministries situated in East London, South Africa, incorporating various ministries, each geared to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the nations of this world.
