Good Morning,
John 10:10 (NIV)
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 (NLT)
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
John 10:10 (NKJV)
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
John 10:10 (TEV)
Jesus said, "I have come in order that you might have life -- life in all its fullness."
We all know this verse of Scripture, I'm sure. Many have used this one verse of Scripture to begin whole congregations and denominations that preach a gospel of wealth and have called it "The Prosperity Gospel" message, talking about financial wealth and little more. So, when this verse crossed my desk this morning I looked at most of the many Bible translations to see what might be more closely meant by these words, more than simply having a lot of money.
The TEV translation says it most succinctly, I think, when we read, "I have come in order that you might have life--life in all its fullness." And also the NLT tells us, "My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." The NKJV tells us, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
So, doe this mean that we should all pray for God to make us millionaires? Do we go to the Lord and point out that this verse tells us we ought to be financially wealthy? Are we to grab hold of these words and use them to claim huge monetary riches? I really don't think so. I also don't think that this is what Jesus was telling us at all.
As I prayed and thought about having life "to the full," "rich and satisfying," "more abundantly," and "in all its fullness," I believe that God spoke clearly about some of the things that were meant in this short Scripture. Jesus certainly wasn't speaking to us about being rich in financial ways. He was telling us so much more...so very much more.
It begins with how we think and feel about our lives and what it means to each of us individually to be rich and to have a full and satisfying life. Oh, there is just so much more to life than having financial wealth. So, now I would think that some would believe I'll go into all of the various ways we can be "rich" in our lives. No, not gonna do that! Why? Simply because what a rich and satisfying life might mean to me could be very different for you. What fills me with joy and happiness might not really work well in your life. What makes my life full and abundant could be really quite different for you.
You see, what God spoke to me about this is that I've got to look deep inside myself to see what He has placed there that makes my life full and complete...what makes me "wealthy"...what makes my life a rich one. You have to do the same thing. I can't tell you to do this or that, or to desire one thing or another, and that if you do then you will have all that this verse speaks to. It's not for me to say. God wants all of us to have a full, complete, rich, and abundant life...in whatever ways that are right for each of us as individuals.
Spend some time with the Lord today and ask Him to show you what will make your life more complete. He will.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
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John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal(life), and to kill(life), and to destroy(life).{Now on the contrary}: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly(eternal)
ReplyDeleteThe entire chapter is describing how Jesus gives his life for ours.
Great blog-
adam.neusbaum@yahoo.com
John 10:15....and I lay down my life for the sheep.
John 10:17...because I lay down my life...
John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself....
John 10:28 And I _give_ unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish..
Life more abundantly was clearly referring to eternal life.
Various translations can complicate the gospels simplicity sometimes.
Adam (anonymous) you make very good points; however there is one thing I find interesting...why didn't Jesus just say, 'I came that they may have eternal life' and stop the verse there? He went on to say 'I came that they may have life AND that they may have it more abundantly.' As if to say, I'm not going to just give them a portion of life, but I came that they may have life beyond the norm..beyond measure. Additionally he refers to himself as a shepherd. Shepherds don't only save the life of his sheep, but he also provides for them food, etc. It's just something to think about.
ReplyDeleteC. Huey, thank you for properly breaking down the Word of God for Adam. I do agree with Adam that it is more of a spiritual nature than carnal, however, Jesus offered eternal life upon the cross at Calvary, and the abundance of life continues from there.
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