READING: Genesis 25-26, John 10
According to the teachings of Jesus in John, if we are Christ-followers, we are his sheep. We are all looking for a guide, a protector, a leader to show us how to be safe from harm and function and live the way we were meant with the help of the one who's seen it all. We make a decision everyday to be sheep like this and to stay with Jesus because he has shown us love and sacrifice. We have seen him put his life on the line for us, so we choose to follow him.
But that does not mean that negative, outside factors will cease to make their attack on us. Jesus explains these negative circumstances as thieves who come, break into the sheep's pen (demonstrating that they don't belong there) and trying to steal sheep for themselves. They are there for their own personal gain, and even if they don't intend to, they place the sheep in danger.
How does this whole scenario unfold in our lives? We live with Jesus and choose to follow him because of his love and protection and sacrifice for us, but sometimes people come into our lives that steal us away from that good and pure life with Jesus. They break in. They don't come because they love Jesus. They come because of selfish gain and many times hurt us, even unintentionally. Here are some examples:
- Dating and Marital Relationships: People outside the fold of Christ try to woo people within, but because they do not fully know Christ, they do not fully understand the intricacies and intentions of marriage, and so they bring a dysfunctional approach to the relationship. While people get hurt in every relationship, this hurt has no lasting forgiveness or wholeness because those things are only found in God. Thus we are commanded in the New Testament not to be unequally yoked.
Business Relationships- People often approach others for business ventures because of the benefits of partnering, financial opportunties, popularity, etc. However, if they are not driven by ethical and Christ-like values, the Christian who ventured into the wrong opportunity might find himself in a controversial situation quickly.
Temptations from the Devil- Satan is always sending temptations our way to break us loose from devotion to God and to help him win the world. He steals us and carries us into addictions, lust and adultery, materialism, negativity, and so, so much more.
There is one main idea to grasp for today's reading: Jesus is the protector of the sheep. He is the one that fights off the thieves. As humans, we come short when it comes to protecting ourselves from unrighteousness. So we can't get caught up in doing all the right things to bring us salvation. We must trust in Jesus along to bring us life and protect us. We must pray to him for guidance. We must read from his word to gain discernment and to follow his plan for us.
But that does not mean that negative, outside factors will cease to make their attack on us. Jesus explains these negative circumstances as thieves who come, break into the sheep's pen (demonstrating that they don't belong there) and trying to steal sheep for themselves. They are there for their own personal gain, and even if they don't intend to, they place the sheep in danger.
How does this whole scenario unfold in our lives? We live with Jesus and choose to follow him because of his love and protection and sacrifice for us, but sometimes people come into our lives that steal us away from that good and pure life with Jesus. They break in. They don't come because they love Jesus. They come because of selfish gain and many times hurt us, even unintentionally. Here are some examples:
- Dating and Marital Relationships: People outside the fold of Christ try to woo people within, but because they do not fully know Christ, they do not fully understand the intricacies and intentions of marriage, and so they bring a dysfunctional approach to the relationship. While people get hurt in every relationship, this hurt has no lasting forgiveness or wholeness because those things are only found in God. Thus we are commanded in the New Testament not to be unequally yoked.
Business Relationships- People often approach others for business ventures because of the benefits of partnering, financial opportunties, popularity, etc. However, if they are not driven by ethical and Christ-like values, the Christian who ventured into the wrong opportunity might find himself in a controversial situation quickly.
Temptations from the Devil- Satan is always sending temptations our way to break us loose from devotion to God and to help him win the world. He steals us and carries us into addictions, lust and adultery, materialism, negativity, and so, so much more.
There is one main idea to grasp for today's reading: Jesus is the protector of the sheep. He is the one that fights off the thieves. As humans, we come short when it comes to protecting ourselves from unrighteousness. So we can't get caught up in doing all the right things to bring us salvation. We must trust in Jesus along to bring us life and protect us. We must pray to him for guidance. We must read from his word to gain discernment and to follow his plan for us.