Gate to a Rich & Satisfying Life

Written By: Kirk Peterson

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

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So many people in this life struggle and search to find their way to a rich and satisfying life.  Early on in my adult life, I thought the answer to attaining a great life was through various self-help ideologies often deriving their principles from psychology.  As I have grown in my faith as a christian however, the Holy Spirit has shown me through God's holy word that the true gate to a rich and satisfying life is not some magic psychological principle but rather through Jesus the Messiah.

"6Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, 7so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.8All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them.9Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.10The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. 11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep." (John 10:6-11 NLT)

I have read Jesus's analogy as the Good Shepherd many times and even studied it in another bible study on the book of John, but it wasn't until studying Genesis that the Holy Spirit revealed to me how significant John 10:10 was in His analogy.

Abraham, a man with a faith in the LORD for all the ages shows us what kind of life we can live by following Gods word.  Also, we see with the covenants he has with God that the LORD fulfils all His promises.  In Genesis 15, God promises to Abraham that he will die in peace and be buried at a ripe old age.  Later, in Genesis 25, we see that Abraham not only died at a ripe old age, but lived a long and satisfying life.

"15(As for you, you will die in peace and be buried at a ripe old age.)"  (Genesis 15:15 NLT)
"7Abraham lived for 175 years, 8and he died at a ripe old age, having lived a long and satisfying life. He breathed his last and joined his ancestors in death."  (Genesis 25:7-8 NLT)

THIEVES & ROBBERS

If Christ is our gate to a rich and satisfying life, then who are these thieves and robbers He spoke of?

"1I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber!...8All who came before me were thieves and robbers...10The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy...12A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock.13The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep. 14“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me,15just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.16I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd." (John 10:1,8,10,12-16 NLT)

I believe the Messiah is talking about all other spiritual leaders from past---future that teach of another way to the one true God.  The bible tells us that their is only ONE true God.  We live in a conforming society that tries to allow all thoughts and beliefs together into the circle.  In fact, in no other time in America's history do I find this to be the case then right now.  Do I feel that we should have intolerance or hate for other people who have other views about religion or worldviews? NO.  However, I do believe that the Bible is the perfect word of God and it teaches us that their is only ONE way, ONE truth and ONE life and that is Jesus Christ. 

In addition, The Good Shepherd teaches us that the thieves purpose is to steal, kill and destroy.  I believe that He is speaking specifically here of Satan and not only of the physical consequences but of the spiritual consequences of following the enemy. 

What comfort we get then when the darkest times come in our life, that we have confidence in our LORD to know that when the wolf attacks us, Jesus will never leave us. 

FAITH & RIGHTEOUSNESS

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When we trust in the LORD by faith we are set free from our chains of sin and have close fellowship with God.  I believe faith, is trusting in something even when you can't see all the evidence.  Also, I believe righteousness is walking the higher road, being good.  So, Abram in trusting in God's promises and by his faith was made righteous in the eyes of God.

"6And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith." (Genesis 15:6 NLT)

16For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes...17This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” (Romans 1:16-17 NLT)

 

GATE TO A RICH & SATISFYING LIFE

 

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If you are looking for the kind of life that Abraham lived, dieing at a ripe old age in peace having a long and satisfying life; and you listened to what The Good Shepherd has to say about his purpose... then the answer is right in front of you---Christ. 

I have found no greater hope then the ETERNAL TRUTH of God found in his holy word the bible.  I encourage any of you reading my blog to join a bible study and dig into the transforming word of God.  The bible teaches us that the consequence of our evil is spiritual death and ultimately eternal separation from God.  But we have a faith in a God who brings not only the physically dead but the spiritually dead back to life, and we all can take heart in that! 

Life can be hard, and many challenges come to steal us away from our truth path of right fellowship with our Creator--Father of all of the Universe.  In trusting the promises of God found in his scriptures, by faith and through The Good Shepherd laying down his life for the sins of all mankind, with grace we are promised eternal life with our Father in heaven.

 

"17That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing. 18Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants... you will have!” 19And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. 20Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises." (Romans 4:17-21 NLT)