A thief AND a robber...

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief AND a robber."  (Jn 10.1)

Webster defines a thief as "one who secretly takes the goods or personal property of another secretly or by open force. One who makes it his business to cheat and defraud."  A robber does the same only by force takes that which he has no right to take.

In the context of John one, who is the thief and robber?

Well, in verse 8 we find "all that ever came before Me are thieves and robbers..."  In verse 10 the only purpose of a thief is to, "kill, steal and destroy..."  Then the Lord begins to talk about Himself as "the door, and "abundant (life-giver)." (Jn 10.10)

It seems clear, the context is talking about false prophets and/or teachers.  Those that "err in the truth" (Jms 5.19, 20)  or "turn the grace of God into lascivousness (lies and false doctrine, Jude 1.4).

Webster's definition of thief and robber is direct.  The definition of each begs the question, "Have I taken something that does not belong to me, directly or indirectly?"  What would constitute stealing, besides the obvious taking an object or money?  How about,

• tithes that belong to God (I Cor 4.2, Lev 27.30, Pro 3.9, Mal 3.8-12)
• time (I Cor 7.5)
• time in prayer
• time in fasting
• faithfulness to church (Heb 10.24-25, Pro 28.20) how many "church members" so-called, use Sunday as vacation, camping time, or claim they are too sick/too tired - let someone else do it...? 
• faithfulness in one's job (Col 3.23, Pro 13.4, 2 Thes 3.10-12) - frittering away time on the job is stealing an honest day's work from one's employer

Each reader of this blog has probably thought of some very specific circumstances that could be called "stealing" in the eyes of God.  If so, that one would fall into the same category of "thief and robber" noted in John 10.

Thus, What is to be done to avoid being a "thief and/or a robber?" 

Well, the Lord goes on in the following verses to describe the behavior of sheep.  It's a known fact that sheep are pretty clueless.  They need direction and constant attention to avoid catastrophes such as being taken by a predator or falling in which case they are completely unable to "right" themselves.

In John 10.3-5, the Lord explains that sheep know the "porter's voice."  They follow Him because they know His voice.  They will not follow a strangers voice.  

The Lord also explains the behavior of a "good shepherd" in verses 11-14.  The "good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep." (v11)  The "good Shepherd" never leaves His flock unattended to predators such as the violent wolf.  Quite simply, only the "Shepherd" cares for the sheep.

In answer to the question, "How does one avoid being a "thief and/or a robber?"  One need look no further than the study of the "good Shepherd."  Just follow Him!  Will a "sheep" still wander off or get into trouble?  Of course!  But that is why they follow the "Shepherd and His Voice."  When listening for His voice when He speaks from scripture or directly to a believer's heart, the path is less fraught with such peril as falling down and predators.

Many scriptures address these comments but for now simply work on bearing a good witness of the "good Shepherd."