John 10:3-5 To him the porter opens; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out.… Jesus names three privileges accruing to those who accept Him as Shepherd and Door, and by Him enter into the life of God. 1. First, they have safety. "They shall be saved." This is a great word, and implies all that God has to give to men. Especially, though, they shall be saved from sin and death, also they shall be saved from thieves and robbers, and from the wild beasts of sin, even from Satan himself, however he may try to get them. 2. Second, they have freedom. "They shall go in and out." The salvation which Jesus gives is not bondage but freedom. "He hath not given us the spirit of bondage, but the spirit of adoption." The Christian is not bound by rules and statutes as a slave is, but as a son he has the liberty of God's house. He comes and goes as a son comes and goes, being always guided and governed by parental love, and not by hard rule. 3. Third, they have a sufficiency of all things. "And find pasture." "All things are yours." "Having nothing, we yet possess all things." "No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly." "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Jesus Christ." (G. F. Pentecost.) Parallel Verses KJV: To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. |
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