“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10
Ligonier Ministries released their bi-yearly State of Theology survey results a few days ago. In that survey, 63% of people said that they either strongly or somewhat agree that God accepts the worship of all religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. They see all religions as equally acceptable in the eyes of God. Jesus or no Jesus. Cross or no cross.
In light of that belief, let’s meditate together on what Jesus says in John 10:10. Earlier in chapter 10, Jesus tells us that those who do not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climb in another way, are thieves and robbers. Then, in verse 7 he clarifies that he is the door of the sheep. In other words, if you enter by any way other than through Jesus himself, you are a thief and a robber.
John 10:10 flows out of this context. In our fighter verse for this week, Jesus tells us that those who enter another way are not just ordinary thieves; they are murderous and destructive thieves. Their only purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy. That’s a radical claim because it includes every other religion in the world. After all, there are those who may not believe all religions are equal, but they would at least affirm that other religions may be helpful for someone’s soul and emotional well-being. Jesus, on the other hand, says that those religions are destructive and deadly. Following another religion or path to God outside of Jesus Christ will destroy your soul and body.
While all other religions and philosophical systems kill and destroy, Jesus came to give us abundant life. Only through Jesus can God make those who were dead in their trespasses alive in Christ (Eph. 2:5). Only Jesus can free us from our captivity to sin. Only through the work of Christ can God deliver us from the domain of darkness and transfer us to the kingdom of his beloved son (Col. 1:13).
It’s not that Jesus is just a better way of life when compared to all others, he’s the only way we can live at all. Everyone else is a thief that comes to kill and destroy. He came to give life, and not just temporary life, but abundant eternal life. Why would we ever choose someone else?