DEVOTION – DAY 527

John 10:28-30 “Salvation Is Secured” 

John 10:28-30 “I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; no one will ever snatch them out of my hand. My Father who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

The Bible sometimes uses the example of a shepherd guarding his sheep. The sheep is secure because they are under the watchful eye of their protector, the shepherd. The shepherd will never let anyone take the sheep from him. This was how Jesus expressed that those who turned to Him for their salvation, He would give them eternal life. They would never perish. Nothing and no one will stand in their way of salvation – just like a shepherd will never allow his sheep to be taken away from him. Jesus goes on to say that God, the Father’s power is greater than that of any enemy, making the “sheep” completely secure. Jesus ends this statement by confirming that He and God, the Father are One. What that means is that He and God the Father, are not necessarily identical in persons. He meant that He and God, the Father, are one in essence and nature, will and purpose. Jesus confirms that He and God has the same power – power that is greater than all. He has the power to give people eternal life – salvation from sin and death. Once given, people will never lose their salvation.

We have been asked questions before by Christians whether or not they will lose their salvation if they commit some terrible sin. Or if someone committed suicide, people asked whether God would forgive the person who committed suicide. We would always point people to the above verses where Jesus confirmed that if anyone were to confess their sins and believe that He is their Lord and Savior, He would give them eternal life and that their salvation is secure. No sin that they commit is so bad that Jesus’ work on the cross cannot atone for. Jesus already confirmed that those who are in His hand, nothing and no one will be able to snatch them from His hand. The above verses give much needed assurance to people. We have come across people who were ashamed of some bad things they had done and they lived in fear and doubt that God would never forgive them. We have to assure them that their fears and doubts are from Satan. We always point them to Jesus and help them confess their past sins and place their faith and trust in Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and to live a life free in the knowledge that their salvation is secure because Jesus is their watchful and powerful Shepherd. 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we thank you for graciously granting eternal salvation and that we are secure in your hand. Thank you for giving us this hope and assurance. Please help us to live a life of victory and serve you for your glory. We humbly pray in the powerful name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. Why do some people doubt that their salvation is secure and they continue to fear judgment for their sins? Discuss.
  2. Do you know anyone like that? Will you help them to remain confident in the light of these verses in John 10? 
  3. Why is it important for Christians to be assured that their salvation is secured for all eternity? Discuss.
  4. What do these verses reveal to you about Jesus? Share.