The difficulty for most Believers is to live the life Christ intended, for He said, “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 19:9-10 NASB. The difficulty is not found in Jesus Christ, but in the negative thinking that many who call themselves ‘Christian’ are not understanding the tools given them.

The thief as described by Jesus in this parable is Satan as prowling about as a hungry lion seeking to destroy anyone who is unwilling to follow the way of Christ. “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:6-8. Believers are instructed to resist the Devil and enjoy the abundant life Christ has provided.

We know and understand that sanctification does not come by obeying laws, and stands apart from the Law. Living the right way and the correct way is more than determination to live correctly. We must come to appreciate what Paul explains in Romans chapter 8. Paul goes to great pain in his letter to the Galatian church describing the failure of the Law and the power of God’s grace.

In this we find the subject of legalism is conforming to a code of man-made ethics growing out of the Law given to Moses.The weakness of the Law is ultimately founded upon the attitudes of people attempting to live according to the standards of the God who authored it.

We will also find legalism to be judging personal behavior according to God’s standards of obedience. Jews came to believe that “I can obtain salvation simply by obeying the Law.” But, Jesus fulfilled the Law and tells those who choose to follow Him “I am the only way to the Father,” and just as God has said, be prepared “to be holy as I am holy.”

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:13-16.

If anyone who claims to be a Follower of the Risen Christ and is somehow unable to live the abundant life is not understanding the tools provided. The New Testament is written giving every Believer guidance to live His way. To do less is to sell themselves short and to deny the Lordship of Christ. To do less is to sell yourself short of being ‘in Christ.’

Jesus is Lord.