John 10:7-10 Jesus said again, “Truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the gate. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.
In the previous chapter, the Pharisees excommunicated the blind man for his testimony about what Jesus did, in giving him his sight, on the Sabbath. Jesus continued his dissertation in this chapter, being very clear that the Pharisees were the thieves and robbers (children of the devil) He spoke of. Today, there are still many who are thieves and robbers who are posing as pastors and so-called spiritual leaders. There are those who proclaim that there is more than one way to God and Heaven. Many are teaching false doctrines, and using God and the Gospel for personal gain. Sadly, there are even those who would have us believe that they, as pastors and leaders, are the only ones qualified to hear from the Holy Spirit, and have become spiritual dictators. All of these are those who have come before Him, who are thieves and robbers. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the only One in Who we have access to the Father, and only in Him, and His Name, is there salvation. For those of us who are pastors and leaders, let us not forget that we are NOT the shepherds. We are the under-shepherds. We are to be pointing others to Jesus, and as John the Baptist said, we are to decrease and Jesus increase, so that others see more of Him, and less of us. One day, when we all give an account for our lives, our desire should be that we lived this life properly representing the Lord, and not as ones who lived our lives as thieves and robbers; who stole the glory from God in order to receive praise, honor, a pat on the back, riches, and fame for ourselves. This life, and our service, is about Jesus and His glory, the true Good, Great, and Chief Shepherd!
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).
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