This week, once again I am writing from my continued reading in the gospel of John. As I was reading through chapter 10, there are so many assurances that bolster my faith and confidence in Jesus Christ as the Author and Finisher of my faith.
In my book I Am the One He Loves, I write extensively about the inert fear that many Christians harbor regarding losing their salvation. One of the most ominous passages of scripture in the Bible related to this fear is found in Matthew chapter 7.
Matthew 7:21-23 - NKJV
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Christians who view these passages of scripture with fear, do not realize that what Jesus is saying does not apply to those who belong to Him. The words apply to those who do not BELIEVE on Jesus Christ.
This is echoed in 2 Timothy 3, where the epistle speaks of those who have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof. Just as Jesus described, these passages of scriptures describe people who have an appearance of religiosity or even spirituality, but inherently, they deny Jesus Christ as the risen redeemer and the truth of the inspired written word. They do not adhere to the teachings of Jesus and inwardly, there is no change by the power of the gospel and the grace of Jesus Christ which is the power by which we become and live righteously and holy before God.
Yet, as I studied the words of Jesus in found in the Gospel of John, my faith soared! My confidence is not found in myself, nor my abilities, but in Christ alone. The first truth that gave me confidence was Jesus reassuring me in verses 9-10, that if I enter the door by Him through faith, I am saved. Not only am I saved, but I have a defense against the enemy of my soul and I have a promise for
abundant life as I abide in Him.
Secondly, as I examine the scripture found in Matthew chapter 7, the declaration is made to those that are not known by Jesus. However, Jesus explains in verses 26-29, that those that believe Him, belong to Him. Listen specifically to what verse 27 says:
John 10:27 - NKJV
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
Not only do we belong to Him, but as a result of that we are empowered to live growing in grace, power and obedience to His teachings. Furthermore, Jesus gives us eternal life, with no fear of perishing, but the greatest assurance of our salvation is the sovereign statement that Jesus makes in verse 29: John 10:29 - NKJV 29 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.
What a reassurance of God being the Author and Finisher not only of our faith but of our salvation!
Who or what can remove us from the hand of God? Nothing! Not our weaknesses, failures, or even our sins as a believer stemming from the condition of our humanity, bound in a corruptible flesh.
This is why we who believe and follow Christ don’t have to fear God’s wrath or His punishment because we belong to Him and He loves us and knows us as His own.
