The Choice
When Jesus teaches that He is the Good Shepherd in John 10, He throws in a statement that can easily be missed if we are not reading carefully. Yet, it is a truth that will radically change our view of life if we fully embrace the words that Jesus said.
First the verse:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10 NIV).
Since Jesus is the one talking, He is stating that His coming has brought something that can be received nowhere else…life. But, He goes on to qualify what kind of life that can be in Him – life to the full, abundant life, life worth living. Who doesn’t want that?
But, He starts the verse by unveiling the truth that we can also go from a life of merely existing to one that is defeated, stolen and totally messed up. Do you know folks who live that kind of life? Are you one who is living in the stolen, killed, and destroyed side of life?
What makes the difference? How can someone move from the depressing existence of a defeated life to the vibrant expression of an abundant life? This all boils down to the choice of who you are going to follow.
Jesus identifies one side as “the thief.” Satan wants to rob you of a meaningful life. He wants to steal the joy that life can bring. He wants to destroy families, blow-up marriages, break relationships, and mess life up totally. He is willing to do whatever he can do to make life miserable while we live here on earth.
Then, Satan also wants to steal your eternal life, too. He wants to keep you from seeing Jesus, from experiencing the grace that God offers through Jesus, and from believing in and following Jesus as the only One who can save from sin. Without a Savior, your eternity is stolen as well. Satan works at destroying the here and now and destroying your eternity.
After unveiling the true motive and goal of what Satan wants to do in your life, Jesus offers Himself as an alternative. Rather than stealing from you, Jesus wants to give to you. Rather than killing you, your family, your reputation, and your testimony, Jesus wants to give you life. Rather than destroying everything that is important to you, Jesus wants to give you abundant life.
Notice the choice…choose Jesus and experience a fulfilling life. Choose the thief, who is Satan, and experience life being stolen, killed, and destroyed. For those who think you will simply not choose and stay in the middle, the thief smiles…because you have just chosen him. To not choose Christ is to choose against Him.
What will your life be like? It all depends on who you choose. Your here and now and your eternity depends on who you choose. I hope you choose Jesus.