Twin Peaks

The scripture for today is John 10:11

 

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

 

In John 10:10 Jesus says, “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.” Jesus contrasts the love of God with the hatred of Satan in these verses. The contrast could not be more drastic.

 

He exposes the devil, the thief, as one who has nothing but evil designs upon the lives of human beings. Satan is the taker, the destroyer, while Christ is the giver, the Savior.  The choice that is presented to us is clear. We will either be aligned with one who offers nothing but evil desires and death or we will be aligned with One who was willing to give His life so that we might live. It seems like an easy choice for any rational person to make; life or death is offered, which should we choose?

 

The issue we face is that the devil, in order to seduce mankind into following his path of death, makes that path look as if it the most desirable. He appeals to the flesh through the senses and by offering sensual pleasure, camouflages his design for our destruction. The gratification of the flesh cannot lead to life. When fleshly desires are favored more than the life that God offers, death is the end result. When God is favored above the flesh, life is the end result. Jesus said “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” John 6:63  

 

When we choose to follow the good Shepherd, we choose to live life in the Spirit, a life that embraces the words of Christ. We seek Him daily, we listen for His voice, and when we hear it we follow Him. We do not follow the voice of a stranger. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27

 

We must choose daily to follow the good Shepherd. He loved us enough to give His life for us. We must love Him enough to never leave His presence.

 

God bless you as you continue in His service.

Tim