John 10:27-31

27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

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.

30 I and My Father are one.”

31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him.

Sheep (v. 27) are helpless, dependent, harmless, weak, foolish and prone to stray.

I give them eternal life (v. 28) — present tense. We now have eternal life — a quality of life. This life is given, not purchased, earned, merited or won. It cannot be forfeited.

perish (v. 28) = eternal destruction

shall never perish (v. 28) because no man can take them out of Christ’s hand — eternal security

The world, Satan and our old natures try to seize believers (v. 29), but they cannot. If they could, Christ’s power would not be sufficient.

I and My Father are one (v. 30) — One in deity and in purpose and in essence. Some say this only refers to unity of will, but the Jews understood what He was saying and tried to stone Him for blasphemy.

My Father (v. 30) — should be “the Father.” When Christ says “My Father” He’s speaking as mediator. When He says “the Father,” He’s speaking of His Deity.

stones again (v. 31) — John 5:17-18; John 8:58-59

No stronger passage in all the Word of God can be found guaranteeing the absolute security of every child of God. Note the seven strands in the rope which binds them to God. First, they are Christ’s sheep, and it is the duty of the shepherd to care for each of his flock! To suggest that any of Christ’s sheep may be lost is to blaspheme the Shepherd Himself. Second, it is said “They follow” Christ, and no exceptions are made; the Lord does not say they ought to, but declares they do. If then the sheep “follow” Christ they must reach heaven, for that is where the Shepherd is gone! Third, to the sheep is imparted “eternal life”: to speak of eternal life ending is a contradiction in terms. Fourth, this eternal life is “given” to them: they did nothing to merit it, consequently they can do nothing to demerit it. Fifth, the Lord Himself declares that His sheep “shall never perish,” consequently the man who declares that it is possible for a child of God to go to hell makes God a liar. Sixth, from the Shepherd’s “hand” none is able to pluck them, hence the Devil is unable to encompass the destruction of a single one of them. Seventh, above them is the Father’s “hand,” hence it is impossible for them to jump out of the hand of Christ even if they tried to. — Pink, page 144-145.

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