I've often said that John 10:10 is about an accurate job description for the devil as you're going to get: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy." It doesn't get much more plain than that. Every good thing, every dear relationship, every decent act, every happy blessing is fair game to the evil one who simply wants to wreck your life. He wants to take, take, take. He's a thief, a liar, and a killer (John 8:44) but he's also crafty (2 Cor 11:3) and as belligerently strong as a roaring lion (1 Pet 5:8). He's clever and doesn't always exhibit his plan in obvious ways. No, he'll suck you in with guile, enticement, and temptation. He plays on your weaknesses and desires, he uses your emotions against you, and he amps up your selfishness. And he does it all very well. So well in fact, that you may not notice that you're in over your head in an illicit relationship, or addicted to some substance, or ignoring the call of the One who desires your best good. Yes, the evil one steals, kills, and destroys.

Ah, but the rest of John 10:10 reminds us that Jesus "came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." What is this abundant life Jesus offers? It's wrapped up in what He brought: truth (John 18:37), light (John 8:12), and freedom (Luke 4:18). To do this, He lived in complete opposite of the devil. Jesus lived blamelessly, never compromising to temptation. He lived with integrity, always in harmony with the will of His Father. He lived generously, always giving what was most needed. And He offers this opportunity to us.

The abundant life He offers is not merely quantity of life (it doesn't get any longer than eternal life, does it?); He offers quality of life. A life free from the guilt of unamended sin, a life lit by the guidance of His word, a life focused outward instead of inward. Some TV preachers promise you can live "your best life now" and imply that it's a life that fulfills your most selfish desires and materialistic wants. No, what Jesus offers is a life of abundant resources to confidently cope with this life's difficulties while rightly appreciating its blessings. We can live an abundant life now while we wait for our best life later.

The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus came to give, live, and build up.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10).