A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect—life in its fullness until you overflow! – John 10:10 TPT.
The thief comes not, except that he should steal, and should sacrifice, and should destroy; I came that [life one should have], and [extra should have] – John 10:10 ABP+.
Many comedians have joked about the days of black and white television with rotary channel selectors and external antennas that must be rotated to find the right angle for the best picture and sound quality. I am old enough to have witnessed those good old days.
Don’t even get me started on rotary phones and the first generation of mobile phones that look more like weapons than instruments of communication. In our days, television is not just in full color but in ultra-high definition. I don’t know about you, but I find it hard to watch any videos not shot in high definition today.
I was born into religion and to parents who were sincere, genuine, and committed to their faith. I was fortunate that their public image matched their private character. I had great models to emulate in my parents. Unfortunately, I did not know the Lord personally. At the age of seventeen, I found Jesus in Varsity.
I could not believe that I had been hearing the scriptures read all my life; it literally came alive. Word after word jumped out of the pages and attached themselves into my spirit. I could not get enough of spending time with God in prayer; I had found love; I had found life and I finally found the reason for which I was created. It has been thirty-seven years since that encounter, and I can honestly say that I am in love with God probably more today than I was those many moons ago.
It is true that Jesus came to offer us a quality of life that no religion could ever offer. He came to guarantee a dimension of life that we could never have attained on our own.
When a man abandons faith in Jesus for philosophy, psychology or religion in any form, shape, or fashion; it is safe to assume two things: first, they probably never truly or fully experienced the Lord of Glory. Secondly, they might have lost sight of the one who once was and meant everything to them. I think the second is very rare. I just cannot imagine walking away from a Damascus Road experience into the arms of religion ever again.
Let us not forget that making a public confession of Jesus, attending Church, fasting & giving your resources to the ministry are not conclusive proofs that one has met the Lord. I call to mind Simon the Sorcerer, who also got ‘converted’ when he saw the power of God manifest in a grand style. He could have fooled many people but not the Apostle Peter.
But as Philip preached the wonderful news of God’s kingdom realm, and the name of Jesus the Anointed One, many believed his message and were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon believed and was baptized! – Act 8:12-13 TPT.
Simon was an occultist held in very high esteem by the city as the very power of God. When it became fashionable to be saved and multitudes were getting saved left, right and center, he also got ‘saved’ but not really. He might have been sincere, but he was not genuine, and his conversion was half-baked at best. When he saw the power of God being manifested in the Apostles, he immediately wanted to buy the gift of God. Consider St. Peter’s assessment of the supposed new believer:
Repent this moment for allowing such wickedness to fill you. Plead with the Lord that perhaps he would forgive you the treachery of your heart. For I discern that jealous envy has poisoned you and binds you as a captive to sin” – Act 8:22-23.
A genuine salvation encounter gives you access to a life on a plane far beyond this world. The genuine believer is more blessed than billionaires who do not know the Savior. He lives the best life possible to a human plus extra life (see text).
A sense of genuine forgiveness ushering us into a guilt-free life; total deliverance from fear in all its various forms; hope for this life and the life after; resurrection life and immortality; supernatural manifestations of God’s presence, provision, protection, comfort, and companionship are some of the benefits that accrue to the true believer. Life in Christ is life in super, ultra-high definition. If you do not yet know the Savior; fall on your knees and ask Him into the very center of your life right now. If you have received the Master, ask Him to help you unpack the mysteries of this High-Definition life that you have been given.
