JOHN 10:22–30
“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand”
(John 10:28).
This passage contains six parts. Three have to do with the sheep, and three have to do with the shepherd. The sheep 1) listen to Christ’s voice, 2) follow Him, and 3) will never perish. The shepherd 1) knows the sheep, 2) gives them everlasting life, and 3) will take care that no one snatches them out of His hand.
According to Hendriksen, what is stated here amounts in brief to this: “My sheep—having become such because they were given to me by My Father (10:29)—put forth an effort to catch the sound of My voice. They do this constantly. They eagerly obey Me, placing their full confidence in Me. I know them, acknowledging them as My very own. They follow Me, but turn away from strangers. I give them here and now (as well as in the future) that life which is rooted in God and which pertains to the future age, to the realm of glory. In principle it becomes their possession even before the reach the shores of heaven. That life is salvation full and free, and manifests itself in fellowship with God in Christ (17:3); in partaking of the love of God (5:43); of His peace (16:33); and of His joy (17:13). Hence, it differs in quality from the life which characterizes the present age, being its very opposite. And it never ends. The sheep shall certainly never perish; i.e., they shall never enter the state of wrath, the condition of being banished forever from the presence of the God of love. And no one shall snatch them out of My hand.”
The reason Christ can make these promises is because He is God Himself. This He proclaims in striking clarity in verse 30. He and the Father are one, not identical in personality, but one in essence. And it is because He is our God that we follow Him, obey His commands, give up everything for Him, and rest secure in the knowledge that He will give us eternal life just as He has promised. Here we see that blessed relationship between Christ’s effective, but particular atonement and the security of believers. Those for whom He has died will never be lost. If He died for you, you will most assuredly be saved. You have that confidence and that assurance. Your response, therefore, should be one of praise, of worship, and of steadfast obedience.
CORAM DEO
Nehemiah 4–6
Acts 2:14–47
What psychological and emotional impact does it have on you (if you are a believer) to know that God chose you from the foundation of the world, that Christ died for you personally and that He will keep you safe forever? Meditate on these precious promises and blessings Christ has given the saint through the atonement.
For further study: Rom. 8:18–30 • 1 Cor. 1:4–9 • Phil. 1:3–11 • 2 Thess. 3:1–5
wednesday
june