Eternal Life
The thief does not come, except to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
- John 10:10
What kind of life would you like to have? Are you content with confusion, limitation, lack, and aimlessness? I hope your spirit shouts, “No! I won’t be satisfied with that!” Do you desire a dynamic, purposeful life, one that’s focused, driven, and filled with vitality and joy? If so, eternal life is the only life for you.
Here is an important distinction: Jesus does not offer people everlasting life; he offers eternal life. Everlasting deals with time. Eternal deals with quality. What good would the offer of everlasting life be for a life that is defined by sickness, poverty, and sin? A life existing infinitely in that state would be a curse. In contrast, the life that Jesus offers is one of rebirth, redemption, renewal, purity, holiness…abundance! Eternal life is defined by its richness, vitality, and quality. By its very essence, it’s everlasting because the life force is so pure and so potent. This is the life that Jesus offers those who come to him—a life of infinite purpose.
Even though Jesus offers us this life, He warns us that there is an enemy who wants to prevent this life from ever becoming a reality. The enemy of your soul, Satan, is determined to keep you from ever embracing eternal life and the purposes God has for you. Satan does this through three forms of attack: stealing, killing, and destroying. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone who is not paying attention so he can devour them (1 Peter 5:8).
Jesus already told us the enemy’s strategy, so there is no need for us to be unaware of it. The enemy will always try to steal your purpose first because it is generally the quickest and easiest route. How many people do you know who seem to stumble through life listlessly? Their only purpose seems to be to just make it through another day. They are controlled and manipulated by all sorts of impulses that are beyond their comprehension and experience little satisfaction or fulfillment. They have no goals, no drive to achieve. They have little if any effect for the kingdom of God.
If the devil finds you on guard against him and cannot steal your purpose, he will intensify his attack and try to kill your purpose. You have probably met some people who have been filled with ambition, but for some reason, their fire has grown dim or gone out completely. That doesn’t have to happen to you.
And if your adversary is unsuccessful with the second level, he will attempt to destroy your purpose. He will try to tear down everything you have built and ruin everything you have exerted your effort to raise up. But what God enabled you to establish, He will also enable you to protect.
Don’t be afraid! The Word of God promises that if you submit to God and resist the Devil, he must flee from you (James 4:7). You can have a life defined by God’s power—a Spirit-filled life of abundance and overflow. That is eternal life!
I woke up this morning. It reminds me how blessed I am and that you have a purpose for me today. Lord, thank you because I get to experience Your goodness and abundance of life today. Amen.
Further Reading
- John 8:36
- 1 Peter 5:8
- James 4:7
