Understanding the Heart of Jesus’ Message in Simple Terms
When we talk about Christianity, it’s easy to get lost in rules and traditions. We even use faith as a way to judge others. But Jesus didn’t come to start arguments or give us a list of do’s and don’ts. He came for something much bigger and better: to give us true, abundant life. That’s the real message of John 10:10. In this verse, Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life.” He wants them to have it to the full.
What Does “Life to the Full” Mean?
Jesus was clear. He wanted us to experience life as it was meant to be—filled with love, peace, hope, and purpose. It’s not about just getting by or doing empty rituals. “Life to the full” means having a heart that’s alive. It also means having relationships that matter. Additionally, it provides a hope that goes beyond our struggles.
The Danger of Misusing Faith
Sometimes, people use the Christian faith to control others, push their own agendas, or judge those who are different. When this happens, the message gets twisted. Instead of bringing life, it can bring guilt, fear, or division. That’s exactly what Jesus warned about. He talked about the “thief”—anything that steals, kills, or destroys what’s good in life. It can be anything or anyone.
The Thief vs. The Giver
In John 10:10, Jesus draws a line between two kinds of influence. The thief’s way leads to pain, emptiness, and loss. But Jesus offers the opposite: love, forgiveness, and the chance to start fresh. If faith becomes about power or pride, it stops being about Jesus at all.
Staying True to Christ’s Sacrifice
Jesus gave his life out of pure love. He did this so that anyone, no matter their past, is forgiven. Anyone then is welcomed by God. His sacrifice wasn’t about creating a club for the “good people” or a tool for judging others. It was about opening the door to real freedom and joy.
How Do We Live This Out?
- Show genuine love: Treat others with kindness and patience, just as Jesus did.
- Live with purpose: Seek ways to help, heal, and bring hope to those around you.
- Let go of judgment: Remember, Jesus welcomed the outcasts and forgave the broken-hearted.
- Keep it real: Faith is about relationship, not just rules. Talk to God honestly and trust him with your heart.
The Bottom Line
If we use the Christian faith to hurt, exclude, or look down on others, we’ve missed the whole point. Christ’s sacrifice was about bringing life, not taking it away. Pursuing Jesus means embracing a life filled with love and meaning. It’s a life that elevates others rather than tearing them down.
So, let’s remember what Jesus really came for: not more rules, but more life. Not more division, but more love. That’s the heart of Christianity, and that’s what makes Christ’s sacrifice so powerful.
In His Service,
Minister A. Francine Green
afrancinegreen.com 