“...I have come that ‘they’ might have life, and that ‘they’ may have it to the fullest”. -Jesus (John 10:10)

Well there you go- another *news flash* revelation moment for me today. Folks...I’m just here learning much of this along with the rest of you as we continue to dive into God’s word. Don’t ask me why, but I’ve always heard, read, and quoted that verse in John 10:10 as Jesus saying “I’ve come that ‘YOU’ might have life...”. But that’s not what He said.

Read it again...He said that ‘they’ ... might have life.

In fact, He repeats that personal pronoun, ‘they’, twice. And you only need to read at the start of that chapter to quickly discover who ‘they’ are that Jesus is referring to- it's those ‘sheep’...who hear His voice and follow Him out (3)...and then ‘enter the Door by Him’ (9). And did you catch that part there which states ‘those who enter by Him...will be ‘saved’”?

Also, another small footnote here- it said in vs. 3 that He, (Jesus the Good Shepherd) “leads them out”. Out of what, or from where? You can find that answer in 1 Pet. 2:9 and I’d encourage you to turn there now in your Bible and underline the last part of that verse that says...He ‘called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (I sure hope you read yesterday’s message). And what do we know about people who continue to ‘walk in darkness’, according to the words of Jesus in John 12:35? They. Don’t. Know. Where. They. Are. Going.

Truth be told...there are many people today who claim to be ‘children of the light’ or followers of Jesus...but the fruit they are producing would suggest otherwise. (Titus 1:16). John would write and inform us that “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie...and do not practice the truth.” (1 John 1:6). Now go read Eph. 5:8-9 and let that marinate in your spirit for a moment, or two.

Turning back to John’s gospel, we read about the ‘Word who became flesh and dwelt among us’ (1:1,14)...and “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it” (1:4-5). We then read on... how Jesus was the “true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world” (9); and yet...while He was ‘in the world...the world did not know Him (10). Let’s keep reading: “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” (11). Care to guess why that happens? Flip over to chapter 3 and read vs. 19-21.

Time Out for a quick ‘self-examination’ (2 Cor. 13:5) of our own hearts right here and now: How might you tell if you are in the category of being ‘His own...who received Him not’? Answer: How do you respond when you are presented with ‘truth’ (God’s word) and it doesn’t really jive, or ‘fit’ with what you have been taught to believe (man-made doctrines)? Do you recoil and snap back saying “That’s not what that means”, or...”I don’t believe that!”. Go read 1 John 2:6, 3:6,9 and 5:18 real quick if you need a simple ‘test’. I’ll wait here for you. ;- )

Trust me...I know how challenging it can be to hear or read things from God’s word...and then struggle to ‘digest’ it; let alone receive it, like Mary did. Both Mary and Nicodemus had similar encounters when they too, heard such 'outlandish' things shared with them, but then responded with: “How can these things be?” (Luke 1:34; John 3:9). Give credit to both of them where they at least asked...’how can this be’ instead of flat out refusing to even consider the realm of possibility...that “With God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37-38). So when it comes to this ridiculous idea that we can actually ‘go and sin no more...’ Why tell us that... if He didn’t think it was possible? (John 5:14; 8:11)

I’ll tell you another thing I’ve come to learn over time. Not only have we been ‘conditioned’ to reject parts of God’s word that we don’t tend to believe or ‘receive’ (Mark 7:8-9,13)... but in those times where we do ‘receive Him’ into our homes/lives...we’ve been ‘conditioned’ to ‘get busy serving’ Him...instead of just being still, and sitting as His feet where He can began to teach us more truth...that brings true freedom. Does the story of Martha and Mary ring a bell for anyone? (Luke 10:38-42)

Revisiting those folks in Matt. 7:21-23...sure sounds like they were busy out doing great things for God...but in the end...they missed out and were turned away for the stated reason Jesus gave them: “I never knew you...you who continue to practice sin...”(23). Ouch!

So who are the ones that He truly ‘knows’? Take a look at John 10:27; it’s pretty clear and simple: “My sheep...hear My voice, and I know them...and they follow Me.”

I have a strong feeling that we’ve fallen quite short when it comes to understanding what it means to actually ‘follow Him’. And trust me...it can be a hard truth to come to terms with...if...our hearts are not fully invested in making Him Lord of our lives (Luke 6:46).

Another concern I have are the multitudes of sincere believers that have been lulled (or mislead by deception)...into a false sense of security. In other words...because they ‘prayed a prayer’, maybe jumped through a few ‘hoops’ (got baptized, joined a church, signed up to serve doing such and such...along with tithing regularly)...and yet they are not actively ‘following Jesus’. How can this be, you ask? Pretty simple when you think about it- where’s the fruit? And yet...they’ve been assured they can never ‘fall away’ or even better yet – ‘no one can pluck them from the Father’s hand’ (John 10:28). But if you read carefully...who is that promise of protection given to there? Hint- read the preceding vs 27. It’s the ‘sheep who are following Him’.

And what warning was given to the disciples if they did not continue to ‘walk in the light while they had light’? The darkness would overtake them (John 12:35-36)

So what exactly does it mean...to ‘walk in the light as He is in the light”? (1 John 1:7). I’m glad you asked! Join me here tomorrow...and we will explore that as well...Lord willing, or course.