John 10:10

"The thief comes only to kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

Until reading the book, Waking the Dead, I never understood why these 2 statements are side by side. Actually, I just didn't even think anything of it.

Jesus says both those things in the same breath, and there is reasoning for it. God intends life to the full for us. But it does not just come to us. We have to fight for it becuase there is an enemy with a different agenda. That "life" is opposed because the enemy is set against us.

We are at war. I've always been told that, but it's only been until this past year, that spiritual warfare has become real to me, and I actually understand it.

Before the fall, we all were created in God's image. As Eldredge puts it: "Fashioned as living icons of the bravest, wisest, most stunning Person who ever lived."

We were "fully alive". Before the fall we were crowned with glory and honor. Eldredge says "Why does a woman long to be beautiful? Why does a man hope to be found brave? Because we remember, if only faintly, that we were once more than we are now. The reason you doubt there could be a glory to your life is becuase that glory has been the object of a long and brutal war."
Since the fall, Christ has been diligently fighting for our lives. Not just for our lives though, fighting that we may have life to the FULL.

Eldredge says "The world in which we live is a combat zone, a violent clash of kingdoms, a bitter struggle unto the death... and you will live all your days in the midst of a great battle, involving all the forces of heaven and hell and played out here on earth."

We must come to know and understand what this war is. Or we could end up misinterpreting so much of what's going on around us. It seems so scary to me at times, bu also so cool.

I have no reason to fear because I know the ending. Jesus says in John 16:33 to take heart because He has overcome the world.

The day is coming when the lion will lay down with the lamb but as Eldredge said, "For now it's a bloody battle" to fight for this "life" that Jesus talks about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyheJ480LYA Here's the link to a video that reminds me of the battle we're in. And how Jesus is diligently pursuing us and fighting for us in the midst of all the world's pulls.