John 10:10 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.
This Scripture is very enlightening if you allow the Holy Spirit to reveal it to you.
It reveals that Jesus came to save lives not to bring destruction in any way, even to people who do not receive Him. The enemy, the devil is the one who has come to bring destruction.
Luke 9:56 reveals this. Jesus was trying to enter a village in Samaria but the people there refused to receive Him. When Jesus' disciples witnessed the people’s rejection of Jesus, they boiled with anger and exclaimed: “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did!”. Jesus responded by saying “you do not know what manner of spirit you are of”. (Luke 9:54-55)
The spirit that was manifesting in the disciples was of the enemy that Jesus reveals in John 10:10. They still had their old un-redeemed spirit because they hadn’t received the promise of the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of Grace that fell at Pentecost.
But Jesus carried the New Covenant Spirit of Grace and that’s the Spirit that produces this abundant life through you.
Jesus wants you to fully understand that He did not come to condemn or to accuse you – He came to save you (John 3:17). Your enemy the devil is the one who wants to condemn, rob, lie and destroy you.
The way to live this abundant life is through the Spirit of Grace. In Romans 8 it’s called the Life of the Spirit but the two are synonymous. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Grace and His fruit in your life will enable you to live Jesus’ abundant life – it’s a life of love, joy, and peace (Galatians 5:22) through the power of God’s favor.
Notice the two different responses, that of the disciples and Jesus. The disciples reacted angrily towards the people, and they wanted to scold them by calling down fire from heaven! But Jesus only had one heart toward them, one of mercy to save them.
The first thing the Spirit of Grace will do for you is start changing you from the inside – how you see, speak and respond to others around you, especially your loved ones. Don’t respond to loved ones the way the disciples responded to those in Samaria when they rejected Jesus.
Be gracious towards others regardless of how they are to you. It’s your kindness and gracious spirit that is going to begin to affect those around you.