Many are persuaded that God’s grace is essential for salvation, regeneration, and glorification. However, some doubt that the believer can know that his eternal destiny is secure during his earthly life. Jesus addresses the keeping power of God for the believer in clear and certain terms in the parable of the Good Shepherd. This parable provides a beautiful picture of God’s sustaining grace and HIS eternal protective grace. The Shepherd’s care for His sheep and the believer’s dependence upon God are similar in manner that sheep depend upon their shepherd. This is a true picture of the relationship of God and His family members under grace. Let’s examine the source and definition of the word grace. The source of grace is from the heart and mind of a giving and loving God. The definition is grace is ALL that God is free to do for you on the sole basis of all that was accomplished by Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. In this unique point in time, HE fully purchased our redemption. In examining the word of God legalism distorts the grace of God that is so clearly declared in His infallible word. Legalism is the arch enemy of grace. How should it be defined? It is man by man’s efforts in seeking to gain the favor or approbation of God through human efforts. These efforts are non-meritorious and serve only to blind the hearts and minds of humankind. Human behavior at its best has already been classified by God Himself as filthy rags. It is very sad and sometimes shocking for man to learn that his best human efforts are not good enough. Not only not enough but totally repugnant to God. Let’s read what is said in His written word about the righteousness of every person in all of humanity.
“But we are ALL as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness’s are as filthy rags: and we all do fade as a leaf: and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away, and there is NONE that calls upon His name, that stirs himself up to take hold of Him: for He has hid His face from us, and has consumed us, because of our iniquities” (Isaiah 64:6,7).
Sheep are well known for their inability to defend themselves; they are entirely helpless. They don’t see well and incessantly stray from the flock. They must be led to water, or they will die of thirst. They can’t even feed themselves. They have no sense of smell or direction and are incessantly vulnerable. They can fall from high places and can become stuck in rocks and cactuses. They can become lost in their own meadow. They indeed are a true symbol of helplessness. Of all creatures they are in need of close protection, guidance, and sustenance. In every aspect of their lives, they must depend on the shepherd. The dependence of sheep upon the shepherd is a perfect picture of the believer’s complete dependence upon God’s grace. The sheep hear the Shepherd’s voice, and they follow Him. “To Him the porter opens, and the sheep HEAR HIS VOICE; and He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when He puts forth His own sheep, He goes before them, and the sheep follow Him: for they know His voice” (John 10: 3-4).
It is in this kind of weakness, defenselessness, and helplessness the need for grace is seen and is actually demonstrated by the good shepherd as he caringly meets all of the needs of the vulnerable sheep.
Notice the tender relationship between the Shepherd and the sheep. First there is ownership. The sheep are “His own” (John 10:3). He calls them “my sheep” (John 10:27). They are not their own, and as a result do not have a free will to do as they please. They are not free to go away from His presence and care. He knows them and “calls them by name” (John 10:3) not collectively, but individually. Each sheep is personally known and highly valued by Him. (John 10: 3,4). What a clear picture of His love, devotion and care for these helpless sheep. He knows them well. He knows their temptations, their failures, and all of their needs. He knows all about them. The diligent shepherd is vigilant and totally responsible. He never fails to know all of their needs and perfectly provides the right thing for the innocent sheep at precisely the right time. The outpouring of this beautiful provision to care for the sheep is all in the plan and purpose of His coming into the world.
“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).
Not only life, but abundant life is the purpose of God’s amazing grace. Though the law promised life to those who performed what was commanded (Leviticus 18:5, Galatians 3:12), no one was able to perfectly fulfill its demands and therefore, the commandment, which was unto life, was found to be condemnation unto death (Romans 7:10). Therefore, everlasting life for all humans is impossible apart from grace. Consequently, the law provides nothing of the intimate care that is seen between God and man as is beautifully illustrated by the Shepherd’s care for His sheep. The individual under the law is not kept by the power of God, nor can he ever be, for under the law man depends upon his own humanistic weak, and inconsistent strength. Notice one salient fact from which comes the keeping care of the good Shepherd and guarantees it will never fail. (how beautiful)
“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
The giving of His life does not mean that He gave His earthly life in a sympathetic and sacrificial service for humanity. His giving is something that is vastly more than that. It actually means that He actually died in order that His sheep might have life and have it more abundantly. In giving His life, He said, “I lay down my life, that I might take it again” (John 10:11,17). He would not take back His work of love and compassion, but He did take His life when He arose from the grave. It is this resurrection life of the Good Shepherd by which the sheep are kept.
“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Romans 5:10).
Don’t miss these beautiful words. “I lay down my life…No man takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again” (John 10:18). No one else in all of history has ever been able to say these unique words. Jesus Christ only could say these things because He was absolutely sinless. He was not judged as guilty before God because He was impeccable, perfectly innocent, and absolutely sinless. When Jesus gave His life, it was to satisfy every demand of the law, so that those who believe on Him might become the objects of His grace and actually possess the eternal life provided by Him as the Good Shepherd. His death and God’s provision in grace for those who become His sheep are inseparable.
We are held in His hand and the good news is we don’t hold on to Him He holds on to us forever and forever. Aren’t you glad He holds on to you and that His holding on to you does not depend upon your weak human grip?
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all: and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:28-29).
“He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).
These, “all things” must of necessity include all that is needed for the eternal safe keeping of all His sheep. To the mind of the legalistic Jewish critics who were depending upon self- righteousness and human merit (Romans 10:3), the death of the Shepherd as a condition of life for the sheep was insanity.
“To the Jews the cross is a stumbling block” (1 Corinthians 1:23).
Sacrificial life of the death of another cannot be comprehended by a mind which is saturated with the thought that life is a reward for doing that which is good and righteous under the law. In reading the tenth chapter of John you will find one of the most illuminating declarations in His word that demonstrates the need for dependence on God that can be found in the entire gospel.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27,28).
When He calls, they listen to Him and when He calls, they follow. What does it mean to follow Him? Many will immediately respond with “It means to obey His commands, to follow His example or His teachings.” These interpretations do not conform to the figurative language used in this passage. The figurative language in these inspired words is sheep following the shepherd. Why do sheep follow a shepherd? Is it to do something for the shepherd? Absolutely not! There is only one reason. They follow to be fed and cared for. Their following demonstrates a complete helplessness and dependence on the shepherd. There is nothing meritorious that can come from the sheep for the shepherd to follow. The sheep depend upon the shepherd; the shepherd does not depend upon the sheep. He is the exclusive one who provides for and protects the sheep. To force or demand even the slightest element of merit from the sheep in following the shepherd is adding law (legalism) to grace.
In warfare, warriors fight for the cause they believe in and will give their lives to protect their leader. But this is not so with sheep. By faithfully following they commit themselves to and fully depend on the shepherd’s care and protection. This is a perfect picture of the believer’s position under God’s plan of grace. As the nature of sheep is designed to follow the shepherd so, the new nature of the believer is created to follow the Good Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep. This attitude of dependence from the sheep is because the Great Shepherd of the sheep (Jesus Christ) has given them eternal life and declared that they shall never perish. They will not die and go away into nothingness; eternal life means it will never by broken nor interrupted by anyone or anything. This statement is clear and simple. It excludes ambiguous and skeptical interpretation. It may only be accepted or rejected. To reject it is to deny the amazing keeping grace of God. The power of the Shepherd to hold them in His own hand is the guarantee that they shall never perish. This is not all.
“My father, which gave them me, is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10: 29).
No human has the power to take from God that which He holds in His hand. The awesome power of the Father is an unshakable foundation that guarantees our so great salvation. He indeed is greater than any and all foes. He is even greater than the power and will of man. In these powerful words Jesus summarized God’s loving provision for the preservation of His sheep (that’s you and me!) This is God’s business, and He does the providing and keeping by means of His infinite and amazing grace!
“For by grace are you saved by faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians. 2:8,9).
Please be assured, we do not become righteous by doing righteous deeds but having been made righteous by the finished work of Christ, we may then perform righteous deeds. It is He who makes us accepted in the beloved Son and not ourselves or our best efforts.
“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that BELIEVE are justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:38,39).
