John 10:10 (NLT) – The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
I love this verse (in the NKJV because it is close to how I memorized it years ago) because this verse is a most wonderful promise. It speaks to me of the wonderful thing that happens when you follow Jesus. Without Him, you follow the one who is a thief and robber. But with Jesus, you get life and the Greek actually means superabundant life. You go from the worst of conditions to the very best of conditions. I believe that and have experienced it in wonderful ways in my own life and I am so grateful for it. This verse constantly pulls me back to what God has done for me.
The same passage in THE MESSAGE Paraphrase: Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. “I’ll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”