A Wonderful Gift
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 ~
These words of our Lord Jesus Christ contrast himself as the Good Shepherd with the thief who only comes to destroy. The thief is clearly the devil. Our Lord, on the other hand, has come to give us life more abundantly, life to the full. What is life to the full? Many would say health and wealth. Others might refer to being part of the middle class. I watch BBC World News almost every day and it's a rough world out there! Even though extreme poverty has dropped to half of what was in 1990, war, violence, disease and natural disasters continue. As for health, I pray that God will heal me from ALS for His glory.
I believe the Lord is speaking not so much about health and wealth but about spiritual fulfillment. Remember that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self- control. Ezra told the returned exiles of Judah that "the joy of the Lord is your strength". The fruit of the Spirit is the abundant life which the Lord Jesus Christ has come to give us. If you are a believer keep asking God to manifest this in your daily life.
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Written by Pastor Frank Humphrey.
Posted posthumously.