To The Full
To the full. Just three little words, but they pack a tremendous punch as you endeavor to walk in the fullness of all God has promised you.
The full verse is John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
In John 10, Jesus depicts Himself as a shepherd watching over his sheep (you and me). There are constant threats to the sheep (thieves, robbers, wolves) and there is a life-and-death need for a shepherd who is willing to confront danger on behalf of his sheep. Other would-be caretakers ran away from the danger because their fear was greater than their love (vv. 12-13). But the Good Shepherd in John 10 lays down His life for the sheep (v. 11).
If we stopped the narrative here, the verse would read, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life.” In all honesty, that is still an amazing reality! You and I were vulnerable sheep being pursued by vicious enemies, but the Good Shepherd showed up in order that we might live! It’s a storybook ending, really, and it would be good on its own merit if it ended there.
But it doesn’t end there!
Jesus came to your rescue not just to give you life. He came to give you life to the full!
If you look closely, this is one of the most amazing and beautiful threads in scripture. God is always aiming to give you more than it seems possible…
In Psalm 16:11, He doesn’t just give joy; He gives fullness of joy!
In Ephesians 3:20-21, He doesn’t just do all we ask or imagine; He does immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.
In Psalm 23:5, He doesn’t just fill your cup; He makes it overflow!
On and on it goes! The story of the Gospel would be enough if it were only that you and I have been saved from eternal misery and separation from God. Even the use of the word ‘only’ in that sentence is misplaced, because there is nothing ordinary or understated about being rescued from the pit of damnation and instead established as an heir to the throne of heaven! Wow! What more could there possibly be?
And yet, that is the promise. God is offering you not just life, but life to the full (Jn. 10:10).
He is giving you not just joy, but fullness of joy (Ps. 16:11) and joy unspeakable (1 Pet. 1:8).
He is providing not just your needs, but an abundance out of His great love (Ps 23:5, Philip. 4:19).
My friend, here is the distinction. This “extra” that God is offering is not about you claiming what is rightly yours. To be candid, it is not about you at all. It is about the awesome, all-consuming, and outlandish love of the Father that He has astonishingly chosen to bestow on you! He wants to pour out His goodness in abundant measure not because of who you are, but rather because of who He is, and because He has called you unto Himself!
So this week, the gift of life would be good. The receipt of joy would be wonderful. Dreams brought to reality would be amazing. A lack of want would be a blessing.
But why stop there when God is offering you so much more?
He is giving you the fullness of joy. He is moving to do more than you could even dream. He is preparing to give overflow where there is currently need.
After all, He came not just to give you life; He came to give you life to the full! It is time you settle for nothing less!