John 10:10-11. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
To experience the blessings God has prepared for us, we must pay close attention to what Jesus taught. Jesus came to reveal God’s heart, plans, power, and love. His concern was the Father’s concern, and every step He took was in perfect obedience to God’s will. During His public ministry, Jesus taught the most important spiritual truths. Therefore, we must believe and follow what He taught, emphasize what He emphasized, and proclaim what He proclaimed.
The most crucial truth Jesus taught is salvation. He came to save those who are perishing under the power of Satan. Nothing is more essential than the way of salvation. Jesus explained this to Nicodemus in John 3: No amount of religious zeal, pious living, or legalism can bring salvation. “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again” (John 3:3).
The work of the Holy Spirit is like the wind—it blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but cannot tell where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit (John 3:8). When the Holy Spirit opens a person’s heart, no one can resist the power of God’s love. Evangelism is, therefore, the work of the Holy Spirit. It is not dependent on eloquence or persuasive speech. We may invite people to meet Jesus outwardly, but only the Holy Spirit leads them inwardly to saving faith.
God prepares the hearts of those chosen for eternal life, as Acts 13:48 reminds us: “When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.” When we proclaim the gospel, it is the Holy Spirit who moves and works in the hearts of the hearers. Therefore, we need not be discouraged when someone does not receive the message. As Jesus said, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life” (John 6:63).
Jesus made His purpose clear when He said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). We need life because Satan came to steal, kill, and destroy our souls. Since the Fall in Genesis 3, spiritual death has defined the human condition. Nothing we do on our own can reverse the curse we inherited. That is why our Good Shepherd laid down His life for us.
God made His sinless Son to become sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). This is the incredible grace of God that we can never fully grasp. Receiving Jesus is receiving life. As Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25–26). The name of Jesus is the only name that gives life to the dead—spiritually and physically. At His command, Lazarus, though dead for four days, came out of the tomb alive!
That is why Peter boldly declared, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). The end result of our faith is the salvation of our souls (1 Peter 1:9). No matter what trials we face, we must never lose hold of the blessing of salvation. The power of life in Christ overcomes all things.
Return to the cross, where your salvation was completed by the One who holds all authority in heaven and on earth (John 19:30). Trust in the Holy Spirit, who is the seal and deposit of your salvation (Ephesians 1:13). Live boldly, proclaiming the message of salvation to all nations.
Prayer. Father, I thank You for the blessing of salvation I have in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help me to enjoy Jesus’ life and Jesus’ power in every circumstance. Send me to the nations to proclaim the message of salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.