Overflowing Abundance (1 Timothy 1:14)

STEADY INCREASE

Running Water

Years past, prior to localized shut off valves, if a person needed to fix a leaky faucet or a "running" toilet, you had to turn the water off to the whole house, because, otherwise, if a line burst, you would have uncontrollable water flowing everywhere, until you shut off the main valve. In more recent years, every water out-put, whether a sink, toilet, or even a shower or tub, has a separate set of shut off valves so that you can isolate and work on an individual plumbing issue without disrupting water flow to the whole house.

1 Timothy 1:14 speaks of the grace of the Lord being "...exceedingly abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus"

Exceedingly Abundant

'Exceedingly abundant' is one word in the Greek [(hyperpleonazo), 5250], and is only found here in the NT. The visual imagery is of a lake or river where the water table continues to constantly increase and grow beyond its banks or borders, flooding what surrounds it. The idea is that this is a progressive increase, rather than an immediate flood, that constantly and continuously expands.

Grace

Grace is (charis), 5485, probably one of the most often promoted and misunderstood concepts in the NT. First of all, the English translation 'grace', is somewhat erroneous, despite the fact that, through constant use, the misconceptions surrounding its use will likely not change any time soon. The word 'grace' is actually from the Latin word 'gratia', whereas the Greek word is actually (charis), from which we derive the English word 'charity'. Probably 90% of the time, when well meaning Christians are referring to 'grace', what they really mean is 'mercy'; God giving us what we don't deserve [favor, blessing, etc] and not giving us what we do deserve [justice, punishment].

Charity

Charity is a much more realistic understanding of the word, because it encompasses not only giving to others [God, our Father, to us], but it also carries with it the very real idea of lifting people from their present situation or circumstances, because of the act of giving. It has a very real meaning of ability or power, even authority, given from someone who has it, to someone to whom they are favorable towards.

Faith and Love

What is interesting about this scripture is the link between God's 'charis' and that of faith and love, which are also commodities given to us from and through our Father. The parallel is that God's release of His ability and favor towards us [charis], in a very real way, is proportional to the expression of our growth and development in faith and love, both very real spiritual realities. As we grow in faith and love, the manifest ability and abundance of God is released into our lives in greater measure, to the point that it is like an overflowing river, constantly increasing and expanding, in direct proportion to our level of intimate relationship with the Father, through the Holy Spirit, until it becomes an ever expansive flood of His goodness.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours