Life!

Life!

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10 KJV

The Inspiration:

These are the words of Jesus, speaking to his disciples about related concepts: the sheep, the door, the Shepherd, sustenance and provision, and of course, the phases of the engagement. In the verse for today, Jesus addresses major distinctions between the good shepherd and the thief who pretends to be a shepherd. Let it be clear that the devil is the thief and pretender, and he has a clear mission, as laid out here: to steal, kill and destroy. He does not have any orher mission, because that is the only thing he is capable of doing. He is also called a thief because whatever he seeks to lay claim to isn't his in the first place. As you know, you can only give that which you have. The devil has done his worst, but God's best is also in place. Which one would you embrace? 

The Contention:

It was by virtue of man's disobedience in the Garden of Eden that gave the devil the power of man. This is the natural state of all men, but thank God it does not have to be end for all men. There is a Shepherd who is able to change that 'conclusion' and give man a clean, fresh start. Look at the tragedy and shame that the world has become now, and you know very clearly that the devil has no free gifts, or any interest in seeking peace. The Shepherd has a different agenda, and He seeks to introduce, entrench and sustain life in its pure form. Each gives what each has; one can only take away what he does not even have to give; the other gives all of Himself to as many as would come to Him. One is only interested in the eternal destruction of all men; the other paid with His life so that the entire world could be free from death and enjoy life to the fullest, both down here and with God in eternity. 

The Conclusion:

Both of them are come to us all. Nobody is exempt. Both have their CVs laid out in the verse above, and a decision on the right response has to be made. We all must take a decision today, before it is too late. Both are come, making offers. I may think I have some time, but nobody is assured of tomorrow unless God wills it. This response has an appropriate time, and it is today, right now. The devil comes to take away; Jesus comes to give, not just enough to get by, but in abundance. After all, he is the owner of all life, and He has all power, yet He does not force Himself on anyone. I come to Him of my own freewill, because He has all that I really need. Both have eternal consequences. The end of both choices are irreversible, so be sure of what you are getting into. God's time of favour is here.