Today’s Thought “Term Limits” G. Ward

John 10

^2 “But the one who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. ³ To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep listen to his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ When he puts all his own sheep outside, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. ⁵ However, a stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.”

 

Rightful pursuit of the Almighty will always acknowledge His Word for direction (cf. Luke 6:46). The many times in hearing one echo (so casually and definitively even) as to what God said to them more suggests being entirely in tune with every command without violation and whereas the most significant, spiritual phenomenon offered believers upon Christ’s resurrection is the forgiveness of sins, along with the very first command thereafter (belonging to any professing HE is more than enough to redeem their soul), was/is to reproduce HIS gospel to any and teach them those commands; instead, many authoritative hearers more divert attention to praise, than obedience. Proclaimers of Truth mostly exercise in humility. They know how undeserving they are of such grace; remaining quick to hear and slow to speak (cf. 1 John 4:1-6).

Being deceived is a mark of the unregenerate: “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures” (Titus 3:3). After salvation, we may stray from the truth at times, but the Word of God makes it clear that the elect of God cannot be deceived to the extent others have succumbed, because as we’re developed by our Lord, He disallows our being impressed by the eloquence found in false teaching (i.e., *the thief – vv.1, 10).