Lesson 1856

(Lesson 1856)(11-19-16) John 10:1-15

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep."

In today's quote, Jesus tells us that there is no other way to salvation except through Him. We cannot live "good" enough to achieve the righteousness such as is required to earn eternal life. The ONLY way to achieve such righteousness is to have it imputed into us through faith in the virgin born life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. Speaking of the faith of Abraham, Paul said, "And being fully persuaded that, what he (God) had promised, he(God) was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness."
In today's quote Jesus also tells us that He is the "good" shepherd. Once we become one of His there is no way our souls can be taken from Him. We are sealed therein by the power of the Holy Spirit. "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby YE ARE SEALED UNTO THE DAY OF REDEMPTION." (Ephesians 4:30) ~