We could never earn it or deserve it. But God freely gives us all things we need by His grace through Christ. Even though we could never obtain these blessings on our own, we do have a responsibility to fully engage them by faith and obedience. Believers in Christ should be engaging to those in the world. Why aren’t many Christians engaging or, as Jesus put it, being the salt and light of the world? We must engage our responsibility to maintain, grow, and walk in the abundant life found in Christ.

To help us engage our responsibility, try this study aid. Go through the alphabet, study and put into practice the terms of engagement starting with each letter. The following are some examples. Add your own and ask, “Am I engaging to Christ Jesus and to those around me?”

A – ASK. “Ask and you shall receive” (Matthew 7:7; Luke 11:1-13). ABIDE in Christ the vine. (John 15:1-7) Without Him you have no life flowing through you.

B – BELIEVE. “Whosoever believes on him shall have everlasting life” (John 3:16). BOLDLY enter the throne room through Christ. (Hebrews 4:16)

C – CONFESS your sins. (I John 1:9) COMMIT your way to the Lord. (Psalm 37:5; Proverbs 3:5-6)

D – “DELIGHT yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).

E – ENCOURAGE others. (Romans 12:8) EARNESTLY and effectively pray. (James 5:16)

F – FELLOWSHIP daily with God. (Revelation 3:20) FEAST on His Word. (I Peter 2:2) FORSAKE not the assembling with other believers for worship. (Hebrews 10:25) FORGIVE if you want to be forgiven. (Matthew 6:15)

G – GIVE generously to God and others. (Luke 6:38)

H – HELP others. (I Corinthians 12:28; Romans 12:13) Have a HOLY HEART. (I Thessalonians 4:4; Hebrews 12:10)

I – INHERIT the promises of God by faith. (Hebrews 11) INTERCEED in prayer for others. (I Timothy 1-6)

J – JUMP for JOY if you are persecuted for righteousness sake. (Matthew 5:10-12) You are victorious. (Romans 8:31-38)

K – KEEP on the sunny-side. (Ephesians 5:15-20; Philippians 4:4)

L – LOVE your neighbor. “Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law” (Romans 13:8 NLT).

M – MEDITATE on God’s Word day and night. (Joshua 1) MAKE peace with all men as much as possible. (Matthew 5:9)

N – NAME Jesus’ name in prayer and praise. There is power in His name. (John 16:24; Philippians 2:10)

O – OBEY God and his Word. (Luke 8:21; II Corinthians 10:5)

P – PRAY without ceasing. (I Thessalonians 5:17) PURPOSE in your heart not to defile yourself with the things of the world. (Daniel 1:8; I John 2:15-17) Find and fulfill God’s purpose for your life.

R – RENEW your mind daily. (Romans 12:1-2) RUN the race set before you. (Hebrews 12:1)

S – SING to the Lord a new song. (Psalm 33:3) Have a song in your heart. (Ephesians 5:15-18; Colossians 3:16) SALT those around you with the life and light of Christ. (Matthew 5:13)

T – TEST all teaching to see if the truth is revealed in scripture. (I John 4:1) THANK GOD in everything. (I Thessalonians 5:17-18)

U – UNDERSTAND what God’s will is and do it. (Romans 12:1-2; I Timothy 2:4) UNITE with other believers in worship and ministry. (Ephesians 4:11-13)

W – WATCH in prayer for the enemy of your soul. Watch for the coming of the Lord. (Matthew 24:42) WITNESS “You shall be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8).

Yes, I still remember that sky-blue ’55 Ford. As long as I engaged my responsibilities toward it I had an enjoyable, powerful ride. On the bumper of the Old Ford I had a bumper sticker that read, “Time is short but eternity is sure.” That statement opened up many witnessing opportunities among my fellow high school students. Some scoffed at the idea as though they would live carelessly forever. What about you, friend, do you know where you will spend eternity? You can have the assurance of eternal, engaging life today.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).