Jesus said, “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) and that is exactly right. The thief comes only to take what is not rightfully his. And if necessary, he may kill and destroy life and property just to get what is not rightfully his. Such is the mental state of a thief. He is bent on getting not giving.
While we were away from our home for a few days, a thief actually attempted to break into our house in the middle of the night. He opened the screen door by destroying the padlock.
Thankfully, our landlady heard the loud noise which she described as like a gunshot sound. It woke her up, saw the thief, began screaming at the top of her lungs and called for help from all the neighbors. It must have been the loud snapping sound created by the padlock as it snapped when the screen door was forcibly opened.
The thief’s attempt to steal was thwarted. He escaped in a motorcycle. There must have been another guy with him. This is not the first time that it has happened here in our area. My wife said she prayed for the protection of our home while we were away. We thank the Lord for his loving protection even with our material things.
Thief Intent Only in Getting
Truly the thief’s only intent is on getting. This is in total contrast to our Lord Jesus’ intent for all of us. Jesus said the reason he came to earth is so that we may have life and have it to the full. The Lord’s intent is only on giving. He is intent on loving all of his creation including thieves! As theologian Thomas F. Torrance said, God loves us more than he loves himself. Wow! God is not only intent on giving us life. God is also intent on giving it to us to the fullest extent!
Shouldn’t we love him in return? Shouldn’t we accept this love that he is giving? Shouldn’t we accept this free gift of life that he is offering to us? Why should you reject it? Accept his love. You won’t regret it. If you do, you will begin to experience love and life in Jesus and have it to the fullest!