Amen
as Jesus said, it is finished,
do we trust him, or do we need to add to what he has already done
It pretty much are these two options, well the third is we do not believe at all
There are simply so many Scriptures that direct us to believe in what God has already done for us, and that we may now rest in Him, and let His life flow through us.
The only impediment that I've really found to the walk in the Spirit is unbelief. Nothing else stands in our way from walking in Him at all times.
This whole idea that being born again puts us at the same level as Israel in the OT, and that we have to by a life of good works attain to rebirth, that we can live with God, this is so antithetical to what I find in the Bible, and in life.
I know what that kind of life is like. If we would only believe what He's said!
It's the difference between a life lived trying to be good, do well, stay faithful, not sin - these are all good things - to try to love others, even when we don't want to, keep ourselves in righteousness . . .
Is that the abundant life?
Or is it the life where we understand that God has Justified us, declared us righteous, that God has recreated us, now we are brand new people, who are righteous and holy. Isn't the abundant life that life where we are always enjoying the love of God in Jesus who is with us, never apart from Him, He is never angry with us, always comforts us,
even in chastening, should that be needed.
I know in my life there was a lot that had to happen before I was willing to let go of my cares and "responsibilities", and to receive the rest of God.
Only in that rest comes the life that pleases God. Then we can walk in the works that He laid out for us, because we've rested from our works.
Maybe it's a matter of not wanting to let go of at least a little responsibility, I don't know.
Much love!