An Unwelcome Guest

Imagine for a moment if you said to your wife or your family, "Hey, I've invited a thief and a murderer over to our house tonight!" The response to this news--horror, disgust, anger, fear--would be anything but positive. Our loved ones would probably think we've lost our mind.

Yet in a way, this is exactly what we do when we allow unconfessed sin to creep into our lives. Things that we rationalize as okay but are contrary to God's revealed will opens the door; sometimes ever so slightly, for our enemy to slide in. John 10:10 reminds us that our enemy comes only to steal, kill and destroy. His plans are never for our benefit. And he usually doesn't come at us with a full frontal assault. He sneaks his way in, often as quietly as possible, but still does what he does best--steal, kill and destroy. He wants to steal your affection for the things of God and distract you with the things of this world. He wants to keep people from the saving knowledge of Christ; thus killing them for eternity. He wants to destroy your family, your relationships, your happiness, your health and your testimony.

John 10:10 also reminds us of a much better alternative: I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. Our Savior not only warns us of our enemy's true purpose and motive, but he offers us something that the enemy may promise but can never deliver--an abundant life. Jesus Christ came to earth and was our perfect, sinless sacrifice to break the stranglehold of death and give us the keys to everlasting life.

Just as a murderer or a thief would be an unwelcome guest in our home, the one who seeks to steal, kill and destroy should be an unwelcome guest in our lives as well.