John 10:10 – The thief comes to steal and kill and
destroy. I came that they may have
life and have it abundantly.
John 10:10 sets
our life’s stage very clearly.
There is a thief who is out to steal from us, to kill us, and to destroy
us. Armed with this knowledge, we
might think it would be easy to remain on our guard - that those with personal
relationships with the Lord would easily recognize the enemy’s advances. Yeah – we might think that to be the
case, but we’d be wrong. Upon
further reflection, we realize the truth in II Corinthians 11:14 – “And no
wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” Genesis
3:1 tells us “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of
the field.” So, we realize that the attacks of the thief are
subtle. Sure, there may be times
when he comes at us head on with blatant attacks. While it may be difficult in those times for us to claim the
victory we already have in Christ, at least we recognize what we’re up
against. I find myself much more
often falling prey to the subtle attacks – the ones that I don’t even recognize
are occurring. The little voice
that tells me I was wronged and have a right to feel bitter or that it will
feel better to withhold forgiveness than it will to humble myself and
forgive. The urgency of my to do
list that cries out to me saying there’s too much to do and no time for prayer,
meditation and Scripture reading, no time for family, no time for friends. The perfectionism that wages a quiet
war against me heralding that my worth is wrapped up in my performance - that I
won’t attain the approval of others if I don’t shine in everything I do. The voice that tells me I’m in over my
head, that I can’t do it, that I’ll never keep up, I’ll never learn what I need
to know, I’ll never get it right.
I Peter 5:8 tell us “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your
adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to
devour.” These subtle attacks are the attack of a roaring lion
seeking to devour me and seeking to devour you. But, praise God, there’s a second sentence in John 10:10.
Jesus tells us that he came that we may have life
abundantly. Abundant life is not a
life of defeatism. It’s not a life
of striving for perfectionism.
It’s not a life of bitterness and unforgiveness. Because of the subtle attacks of the
enemy, we sometimes unwittingly strive for these lesser and ungodly things. But, these are not the components for
abundant life! Friends – we’re
settling. We’re being tricked. We’re being defeated and we don’t even
recognize it. If the life you’re
living today is anything less than an abundant life, you’re not living the life
that Jesus came for you to be able to live. He came that You might have life and to have it
abundantly! Now, I don’t believe
that an abundant life is a perfect life, or a life without hardship or
difficulty. As long as we’re on
this side of Heaven, these things will all be a part of life. But, abundant life will be the life we
live in the face of adversity.
Abundant life will be the life we live in the valleys as well as the
mountaintops. Abundant life is
about peace that passes understanding, love that is directly from God, joy
unstoppable, compassion, care, and confidence that God works all things
together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His
purpose (from Romans 8:28). If
you’re not living in this abundance, the thief is stealing it from you, working
his plan to kill and destroy you.
Don’t be fooled any longer.
Don’t let the enemy have that power over you or in you. Stand up and claim the victory You
already have in Christ! Live the
abundant life our steadfast God intended for you to live!
