Jesus is Essential
John 10:27–30: My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”
“And they follow me.” I believe in the eternal security of the believer and in the insecurity of the make–believer. “They follow me”—it’s just that simple.
If the shepherd called his sheep one morning and started up the hill, and out of five hundred sheep in the sheepfold, one hundred came out and followed him, then I would conclude that those one hundred were his sheep. And I would also conclude that the other four hundred were not his sheep. 1
Walking with Jesus
What is your daily proof that you are one of His sheep? Is it believing in your works for Him, or believing in His work for you? Do you live under His security, or under your own insecurity? How can you walk in a “oneness” with Him?
Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. John 17:11
If you abide with Christ, you will never wonder about an uncertain future.
Praying
Lord, thank You for protecting me from the darkness of a works-based religion. Thank You for a grace-based relationship with You.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Gospels (John 1-10) (electronic ed., Vol. 38). Nashville: Thomas.
