By Bryan D. Gill, D.Min.
Director of the Office of Faith, Learning and Vocation, Samford University
CAN I LOSE MY SALVATION?
John 10:7–11, 14–18, 27–30
In the Book of John, Jesus used seven metaphors to describe Himself. This collection of sayings is called the “I am” statements of Jesus. This week’s lesson looks at two of these seven statements: “I am the Gate,” and “I am the Good Shepherd.” Both of these statements are referring to the practices of a shepherd. Sadly, these metaphors can sometimes be lost on us since shepherding isn’t a profession we see that often in the United States. However, the original hearers to whom Jesus spoke would have known exactly what He was referencing. The goal of this week’s lesson is to show that God, like a good shepherd, keeps His children — His flock — safe and secure.
When we come to Jesus, we are promised salvation. (7–11)
When Jesus said, “I am the Gate for the sheep,” we might picture a door made out of wood and equipped with a knob. But for a shepherd, this image would be completely different. Shepherds in the first century would sleep in the entry of the fence. They would literally become the door or gate, and their bodies would be the barrier that would keep the thieves or wild animals out and keep the sheep in where it was safe.
In the same way that true safety for the sheep was only through the shepherd, true salvation is only through Jesus. Jesus protects us and saves us not only for eternity, but for today and tomorrow.
Jesus secured our salvation by laying down His own life for us. (14–18)
In verse 12, Jesus introduces two different groups — the wolf and the hired hand. Both the wolf and the hired hand could be referencing the pastors mentioned in Jeremiah 23:1 who are described with similar language. Speaking for God, Jeremiah says, “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!”
Some people believe the wolves are the false teachers, and the hired hands are the religious leaders who were too cowardly to stand up against them. Neither the wolf nor the hired hand cared for the sheep; they only wanted what was best for themselves.
Unlike the hired hand who runs away after seeing the wolf, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, protects His sheep at all costs, even to the point of dying for them. Our salvation is secure because Jesus laid down His life for us on the cross. We didn’t ask Jesus to die for us. He did so willingly because He knew it was the only way to atone for the sins of the world.
We are secure through the Father and the Son. (27–30)
Our salvation is secure because of God’s strength to hold onto us, not our strength to hold onto God. We follow Jesus because He loves us; we are His sheep and we know His voice. The Good Shepherd protects us against anything trying to strip us away from His grip. When we are in Christ, nothing can separate us from God.
In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he wrote, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38–39). Our salvation is secure because God cares for His children and protects them yesterday, today and tomorrow.
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