“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will
go in and out and find pasture. 10
“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. 11“I am the good
shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
Devotional:
When Jesus described Himself as the door He was using more than just a metaphor which was familiar to those in the culture into which He spoke it. He was declaring that He Himself is the way to life, both life eternal and life abundant here and now.
Life eternal that is regenerated and renewed by the Spirit of God by which we come into a personal relationship with God the Father through faith in Jesus Christ's Person as Lord (Titus 3:4-7). That is the promise of God and the grace of God towards us all who put our faith in Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected from the dead (Rom. 10:9-10, 13).
Life abundant. As we put away the old things and attitudes which were hostile to God, and our fellow person, and embrace the new things that are according to Christ. “For if anyone is in Christ they are a new creation, old things have passed away, behold all things have become new.” 2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore having been justified (that is declared righteous in the sight of God) by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1) we are being sanctified by the Spirit of God, and thus we are to live out this new nature within us as God's redeemed children (Gal. 5:16-23).
Again Jesus came so that we have life and have it more abundantly. Life, which begins by being in a personal relationship with God the Father through faith in Jesus Christ's Person (John 14:26). For that is where life is found by knowing God and Jesus personally (John 17:3). For life true, rich and full is found only in the Person of Jesus Christ whose Spirit imparts not only His life within us but also the fruits of His life. Which are the fruits of the Spirit of God (Gal. 5:22-23). That is the Holy Spirit who not only brings to life everyone who believes in Jesus Christ the Lord, but also unites us to Him, and each other, and imparts each believer supernaturally with these. Now these fruits are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self control. These then are to govern a believers new life in Christ, rather than sin or the Law (Gal. 5:16-23).
Now as one draws nearer to the heart of God these fruits will become more apparent in one's own heart and life. Therefore as new born children of God we can hope for ongoing positive change and growth as we yield our lives and will to God to be Spirit led rather than mislead by our old sinful desires. Therefore we will grow up into Christian maturity as we keep the Lord Jesus Christ's commandments through these (Rom. 13:9-10). Therefore we find freedom to worship God and enjoy life in all the creative genius He gives us that respects these. For we are, as Jesus said free to go in and go out and find pasture. Free to live and free to love. For the Spirit of God goes with us and that is how the reality of Christ in is to be manifested through us, by our love for each other (John 13:34-35). Thus the life of Christ is seen in us as we live according to these. Therefore don’t let the thief steal your liberty, to live life fully and love all people completely which Jesus Christ purchased for us all at Calvary. Instead go in and experience worship of God and fellowship with other believers, then go out and experience life together; believer and unbeliever alike in all its fullness. For that is what Jesus desires for us all. To receive eternal life from Him and then go live it out; for in doing so we become complete and mature human beings who positively impact the lives and societies which we live in.
Now in contrast to Jesus, who comes bringing life in all its fullness; the thief only comes to steal, kill and destroy. All which is contrary to God's Nature and Jesus Christ's Person as Savior and Restorer of life. That is how you will know the work of God in people's lives (Consider Luke 9:51-56). For God is above all else a God who loves. Whose love motivates Him to not only suffer death on a cross for our sins remission (John 3:16) but also to seek out us when we have strayed from Him (Luke 15:3-7). And thus through Jesus He offers mercy and restoration to life to all who repent and believe in Him through the gospel (Matt. 9:9-13; Mark 1:15). Therefore Jesus invites us all to come and drink of His living waters, which is His Word and His Person that He pours into every soul who believes in Him (John 4:14). For where God is there is life (John 10:10) and there is love (1 John 4:7-11). That is the sure mark of His Presence in and amongst us.
Again unlike the Son of God who brings healing in His wings (Mal. 4:2); the thief only comes to destroy. That is the measure of him and those who are his (John 8:44). For again Jesus is the Good Shepherd who gives His life for the sheep that He might save people's lives from sin; Satan and ultimately judgment. Therefore Jesus' character unlike the thieves always manifests itself in self sacrificing love. That is what the Good Shepherd does; He lays down His own life so that through Him we might all have eternal life by faith in His Person. Now if you haven't yet come to receive the Lord Jesus Christ and thus begin to know Him in a personal way, please freely do so, as the Lord invites all to open their hearts to Him and receive life through His Person: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." Rev. 3:20
By a simple prayer of faith you can ask Jesus into your heart and life to be your Lord and Savior; if you would like to do that simply pray something like this: Dear Lord Jesus I believe that Your are the Savior of the world and that You were crucified to save everyone who believes in You from their sins and the judgment to come. For in doing so You have opened the door to new and everlasting life for everyone who believes in you. Therefore I now invite You into My heart and life, to be both my Lord and Savior, amen.
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982
Devotional:
When Jesus described Himself as the door He was using more than just a metaphor which was familiar to those in the culture into which He spoke it. He was declaring that He Himself is the way to life, both life eternal and life abundant here and now.
Life eternal that is regenerated and renewed by the Spirit of God by which we come into a personal relationship with God the Father through faith in Jesus Christ's Person as Lord (Titus 3:4-7). That is the promise of God and the grace of God towards us all who put our faith in Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected from the dead (Rom. 10:9-10, 13).
Life abundant. As we put away the old things and attitudes which were hostile to God, and our fellow person, and embrace the new things that are according to Christ. “For if anyone is in Christ they are a new creation, old things have passed away, behold all things have become new.” 2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore having been justified (that is declared righteous in the sight of God) by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1) we are being sanctified by the Spirit of God, and thus we are to live out this new nature within us as God's redeemed children (Gal. 5:16-23).
Again Jesus came so that we have life and have it more abundantly. Life, which begins by being in a personal relationship with God the Father through faith in Jesus Christ's Person (John 14:26). For that is where life is found by knowing God and Jesus personally (John 17:3). For life true, rich and full is found only in the Person of Jesus Christ whose Spirit imparts not only His life within us but also the fruits of His life. Which are the fruits of the Spirit of God (Gal. 5:22-23). That is the Holy Spirit who not only brings to life everyone who believes in Jesus Christ the Lord, but also unites us to Him, and each other, and imparts each believer supernaturally with these. Now these fruits are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self control. These then are to govern a believers new life in Christ, rather than sin or the Law (Gal. 5:16-23).
Now as one draws nearer to the heart of God these fruits will become more apparent in one's own heart and life. Therefore as new born children of God we can hope for ongoing positive change and growth as we yield our lives and will to God to be Spirit led rather than mislead by our old sinful desires. Therefore we will grow up into Christian maturity as we keep the Lord Jesus Christ's commandments through these (Rom. 13:9-10). Therefore we find freedom to worship God and enjoy life in all the creative genius He gives us that respects these. For we are, as Jesus said free to go in and go out and find pasture. Free to live and free to love. For the Spirit of God goes with us and that is how the reality of Christ in is to be manifested through us, by our love for each other (John 13:34-35). Thus the life of Christ is seen in us as we live according to these. Therefore don’t let the thief steal your liberty, to live life fully and love all people completely which Jesus Christ purchased for us all at Calvary. Instead go in and experience worship of God and fellowship with other believers, then go out and experience life together; believer and unbeliever alike in all its fullness. For that is what Jesus desires for us all. To receive eternal life from Him and then go live it out; for in doing so we become complete and mature human beings who positively impact the lives and societies which we live in.
Now in contrast to Jesus, who comes bringing life in all its fullness; the thief only comes to steal, kill and destroy. All which is contrary to God's Nature and Jesus Christ's Person as Savior and Restorer of life. That is how you will know the work of God in people's lives (Consider Luke 9:51-56). For God is above all else a God who loves. Whose love motivates Him to not only suffer death on a cross for our sins remission (John 3:16) but also to seek out us when we have strayed from Him (Luke 15:3-7). And thus through Jesus He offers mercy and restoration to life to all who repent and believe in Him through the gospel (Matt. 9:9-13; Mark 1:15). Therefore Jesus invites us all to come and drink of His living waters, which is His Word and His Person that He pours into every soul who believes in Him (John 4:14). For where God is there is life (John 10:10) and there is love (1 John 4:7-11). That is the sure mark of His Presence in and amongst us.
Again unlike the Son of God who brings healing in His wings (Mal. 4:2); the thief only comes to destroy. That is the measure of him and those who are his (John 8:44). For again Jesus is the Good Shepherd who gives His life for the sheep that He might save people's lives from sin; Satan and ultimately judgment. Therefore Jesus' character unlike the thieves always manifests itself in self sacrificing love. That is what the Good Shepherd does; He lays down His own life so that through Him we might all have eternal life by faith in His Person. Now if you haven't yet come to receive the Lord Jesus Christ and thus begin to know Him in a personal way, please freely do so, as the Lord invites all to open their hearts to Him and receive life through His Person: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." Rev. 3:20
By a simple prayer of faith you can ask Jesus into your heart and life to be your Lord and Savior; if you would like to do that simply pray something like this: Dear Lord Jesus I believe that Your are the Savior of the world and that You were crucified to save everyone who believes in You from their sins and the judgment to come. For in doing so You have opened the door to new and everlasting life for everyone who believes in you. Therefore I now invite You into My heart and life, to be both my Lord and Savior, amen.
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982
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