The Thief, Accountability, and Abundant Life

  Title: Understanding John 10:10, Exodus 22, and the 8th Commandment In the Bible, several verses and teachings emphasize the importance of upholding God's commandments and living a righteous life. Among these are John 10:10, Exodus 22, and the 8th Commandment ("Thou shalt not steal"). Let's explore these passages and how they are connected to the concept of accountability and the promise of abundant life in Jesus. John 10:10 : This verse is part of a larger teaching where Jesus contrasts Himself as the Good Shepherd with the thief. Jesus says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." Here, the thief can be interpreted as the enemy, including Satan, whose intentions are purely destructive and harmful. In contrast, Jesus brings life and abundance to those who follow Him. Exodus 22 : In this passage, God outlines laws for restitution and justice, including how to handle theft. A thief is held

You are Kadosh (Set Apart)

 Kadosh is a Hebrew word that means "set apart" or "separate," and is often used in the Old Testament to describe God's holiness and the call to holiness for His people. Here are three prophecies from the Old Testament that use the word kadosh:

1. Isaiah 6:3 - "And they were calling to one another: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.'" This passage describes a vision that Isaiah had of the Lord, and emphasizes the holiness and glory of God.

2. Ezekiel 39:7 - "So I will make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel, and I will not let my holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel." This passage describes a future time when God will restore His people and make His holy name known to the nations.

3. Zechariah 14:20-21 - "On that day 'Holy to the Lord' will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, and the cooking pots in the Lord's house will be like the sacred bowls in front of the altar. Every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy to the Lord Almighty, and all who come to sacrifice will take some of the pots and cook in them. And on that day there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the Lord Almighty.'" This passage describes a time when everything in Jerusalem and Judah will be considered holy to the Lord.

In the New Testament, the concept of kadosh is manifested in various ways, such as in the call to holiness for believers and the recognition of Jesus as the Holy One of God. Here are just three supporting Bible references:

a. 1 Peter 1:15-16 - "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" This passage emphasizes the call to holiness for believers, based on God's own holiness.

b. Luke 1:35 - "The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.'" This passage refers to Jesus as the "holy one" who was born of the Holy Spirit.

c. Acts 4:27 - "Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed." This passage refers to Jesus as God's "holy servant."

In conclusion, the concept of kadosh is an important one in the Bible, and is closely tied to the idea of holiness and the call to live a life that is set apart for God's purposes. As believers, we are called to be holy and to honor God's holiness in all that we do. This means living a life of moral purity, seeking to reflect God's character and values in every aspect of our lives, and recognizing the holiness of Jesus as the Son of God. Let us therefore strive to be kadosh, as God is kadosh.

www.jkwoodallministries.com 

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