ROBBED OR IN ABUNDANCE
17th Jun 2015
In John 10:10 Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, I have come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”
I have been struck by the word “only” in that verse. Our enemy the devil and the world system in which we live is dedicated to rob us and to diminish us. We need to be alert to his devices.
The thief will seek to destroy our joy and to fill our hearts with negativity and gloom. He will seek to take away harmony and good relationships and fill the space with strife and discord. He will seek to destroy our peace and put fear and loneliness in its place. He wants to take away our destiny and dominate our lives with a foreboding and a dread of what lies in the future. So whenever you find one of those negative emotions fill your heart and mind you know where it comes from.
James 4:7 gives the antidote, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
When we come to Jesus, His heart's desire is at all times to fill us with “life more abundant”. Jesus’ words constantly assure us of his generous and abundant intentions,
“I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
“And surely I am with you always even to the very end of the age.”
“Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me I am sending you.”
“I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you....on that day you will realise that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”
Don’t get robbed - live abundantly!
by Charles Sibthorpe
