Jesus Walks with His Disciples on a Hillside RoadBible World
10:27John 10:27
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Christ's sheep are those who believe in Him and belong to Him in helpless dependence on Him as their Shepherd. He knows those who are His own, distinguishing and recognizing them, even knowing each follower individually by name, dwelling place, distress and cry for help. To hear His voice is to recognize it above every other voice, to understand truth as it is in Jesus, and to obey exactly what He says as doers of the Word. He does not drive His flock but leads them, and they follow Him willingly wherever He goes, walking in obedience to His Word, law and commandments. Those who thus hear and follow receive eternal life from Him, will never perish, and no one can pluck them from His hand or from the Father's hand.
Shepherd and Sheep Identity
The sheep are those who believe in Christ; they belong to him and follow him in helpless dependence as sheep depend on a shepherd. To belong to him is to be recognized by him, and those who are his prove it by hearing his voice and responding to it. He knows those who are his own, distinguishes them as his, and they show themselves his by listening to him and doing exactly what he tells them as doers of the Word. In contrast to unfaithful leaders who drive the flock away and betray their trust, he draws his people to himself, seeks the lost, and cares for them. Those who thus belong to him receive eternal life from him and are kept secure in his hand and the Father's hand, where no one can take them away.
He knows each follower individually by name, as fully as if that soul were the only one he had died for. He keeps each one ever in mind, knows the very house where each lives and the name of each person in it, and at times directs his servants to a certain street and house in a certain city to find one of his sheep. Every distress touches his heart, every cry for help reaches his ear, and he is touched with the feeling of each person's infirmities. He cares for believers far more than for the birds he feeds, caring for each one as if there were no other on earth, with a peculiar love for each child.
Belonging to him as his sheep rests on creation and on his giving his life for the sheep at the price of his precious blood. The whole human family is entrusted to him as faithful Chief Shepherd, to be tended with pastoral care and guarded through faithful under-shepherds so that those who obey his voice are kept safe and not left to be devoured by wolves. He is the one good and true Shepherd who laid down his life not for one flock, kindred, or nation only but for all the sheep of his pasture around the world. His sheep are scattered on hills and in deserts and throughout the world, yet the Great Shepherd calls them all and everyone may come to him by hearing and knowing the voice of the true Shepherd and following him. By his Spirit he draws every heart to come to him, yet many refuse to be drawn.
He calls all people to follow him, seeks those who wander, and by the light of his word reveals their danger through warnings, reproofs, and invitations to return to the right path. He gives his life for the sheep, and with his works this bears witness that he is the true Shepherd. His true sheep recognize and respond to his voice, know him as their Shepherd, place themselves under his pastoral care, and follow his leading, with the shepherd's naming and leading of the sheep illustrating this personal recognition and willing response. Those who do not believe him are not of his sheep, and those who persist in sin may refuse to hear his voice, resist his pleadings, abandon the rest and security he offers, and follow a false guide farther from light, peace, happiness, and rest. Children too are his lambs; they belong to him and are under his care, with angels keeping watch over them so that harm will not come to them.
Hearing the Shepherd's Voice
Hearing means recognizing the Shepherd's voice above every other voice, appreciating his words, understanding the thoughts of heaven, and distinguishing the truth as it is in Jesus from all error. Those who so hear are known by him and follow him, in contrast to those who do not believe because they are not his sheep, and this hearing marks his followers apart from those who accept error. Received into the heart, that truth refreshes the soul with gladness and transforms the character, and following means practicing the truth and obeying the Word because he does not walk in darkness.
A heart yearning and longing for God recognizes God's voice and responds to the love and grace he offers. Every heart can respond if willing, but he does not work in the soul that refuses his offered grace, and not every heart does respond. Stubbornness and turning away from his will close the ears to his call, so that those who resist his voice may instead accept a stranger's voice and follow unsafe paths.
Many young people have not yet heard his voice, so the saving message has not taken hold of their souls or brought reformation of life. Hearing is more than hearing; it means obeying exactly what he says as doers of the Word. It means knowing one's own duty directly from him and feeling its claim instead of depending on other people to know duty, and this direct, obedient hearing fits men to be wanted and sent as laborers. The promise that he gives eternal life, that they shall never perish and none shall pluck them from his hand, is made only on this condition of hearing and following, which is the only election taught in Scripture.
Discerning his voice requires living close beside him, receiving his counsel, keeping his way, and honoring his name. It requires putting away pride and lofty ideas of self and humbling the heart as a little child, learning with meekness and lowliness, childlike faith, and a heart softened and subdued by the Spirit. It means knowing God by studying and contemplating his truth, recounting his mercies, recognizing his love in giving his Son to die, beholding Jesus lifted up in matchless loveliness, and sensing his great sacrifice so that every power is consecrated to saving the world. It requires solitude to search the Bible anew with humble hearts and earnest prayer to learn from the divine Teacher, suspending judging of others and unsanctified talk and speaking words to God in prayer rather than to men about men, and staying joined to him by secret prayer and morning and evening worship.
A self-exalting spirit that takes the place of teacher rather than learner, trusts in man and human reasoning and opinion, and lives far from him fails to discern his voice. Such ones walk in sparks of their own kindling, follow their own wisdom, and cannot understand Satan's devices and workings. Because of this separation they adopt measures that appear right and wise but are instigated by the enemy, place a human mold upon the work, give the enemy possession of the mind, make judgment worthless and decisions evil, and dishonor God.
His voice is heard in Scripture, in the Spirit acknowledged as the Shepherd's voice and followed, in the providences of God going before and working with human effort to advance present truth, and in messages sent through appointed human agencies and humble instruments. Hearing in that setting means looking beyond the visible speaker to Christ as Chief Minister speaking through the instrument, and recognizing God's voice in reproof even when spoken through a humble instrument, feeling grateful that errors are pointed out to save from ruin even when the darkened mind cannot yet see the sinfulness of the course. To hear testimony borne clearly and forcibly through his servant and not receive it is to fail to recognize the true Shepherd, while losing sight of Christ in the human officiant and thinking benefit depends on the instrument matching personal ideas prevents hearing and being benefited. Not to see the Lord's working and not to hear that call to go forward is spiritual blindness and deafness, leaving those who should be in the front ranks listless, faithless, and behind where they should be.
His voice is the voice of One who is one with the Father and on a level with the eternal throne, with the glory of God falling directly upon him and reflected to the world in his character, speaking with the authority of the living oracles. His works testified to his divine mission and character with divine credentials and heavenly authority and marked him out as the light of the world, and they with his voice bear witness that he is the true Shepherd whom his true sheep recognize, know, and follow. Yet those filled with self-righteousness and blinded by prejudice would not permit themselves to believe, did not know his voice and did not believe his word, turning from the true Shepherd to listen to the suggestions of the enemy, because the enemy was at work upon human hearts to keep the light from the people.
Following Christ in Obedience
His sheep follow willingly, for he leads his flock and does not drive it. His attitude toward them is wholly invitation and loving appeal, winning them by love rather than compulsion, pressure, stern censure, whip, or coercive authority. As living Head he calls and goes before them, and they hear his voice, are known by him, and follow.
Following means practicing the truth and obeying his Word, his law and his commandments. It means going where he leads the way and doing whatever he tells, walking in safe and right paths and rejecting principles that lead away. So kept, the feet stand on the solid rock above the mists and fogs of worldly skepticism, infidelity and unbelief, breathing security and triumph.
Following is continuing step by step to know the Lord, heeding his warnings and guidance instead of trusting self-confidence or choosing a path contrary to the light given. It accepts his leading into purifying change, including self-denying duties and reforms that run against settled habits, appetites, calculations, preferences and inclinations. It requires standing close beside him as Advocate and Surety, ceasing to trust in man and human devices and reasoning, and in simplicity of faith trusting in union of humanity with divinity.
Received into the heart, the truth he speaks refreshes the soul with gladness and transforms the character into Christlikeness. As his followers submit and keep step with him, he fills mind and soul with his Spirit and brings thoughts, aims and wills into harmony with God's will. Such a Christlike life leads others to become sons and daughters of God, with names written in the Lamb's book of life.
Hearing and following opens the heart to the perfection and fullness of his atoning work, filling the whole heart with love and thanksgiving to be revealed to others. His image engraved upon the heart is reflected in character and in practical daily life in representing a personal Saviour. When the Scriptures are searched the Holy Spirit is by the searcher's side as the presence of Jesus Christ, and those who listen will not be left in darkness nor follow strangers.
The promise that he gives eternal life, that they shall never perish and none shall pluck them from his hand, is made only on the condition of hearing his voice and following him. This conditional following is the only election taught in Scripture, shown by taking his yoke, lifting his burdens, possessing his meekness and lowliness, and growing more and more like him in character rather than following a stranger. His redeemed are kept safe only as they stay joined to him in obedience, since self-reliance and independence with safety are possible only in God; to sever from him is to go out into darkness and disorder, become unfit for any good, and love evil deeds.
Security and Eternal Life
Christ himself is the provision of the gospel feast, prepared at infinite cost through his death. As the bread come down from heaven, streams of salvation flow from him. Those who accept the invitation hear his voice, are known by him and follow him, and he gives them eternal life.
Those who hear and follow will never perish, and no one can pluck them from his hand. No one can take them from the Father's hand either, whose power is greater than all. This is his assurance of salvation for those who come to him.
In their own strength his followers are perfect weakness and cannot keep themselves. When they put whole trust in him they are kept by the power of God and kept safe in his love by One who has all power in heaven and earth. That security is received by hoping and praying and trusting his Word by faith. His love and guardian angels surround them even where the tempter lays nets to ensnare them. Those who trust Christ and rely on his atoning merits can meet trials and temptations as he met them and endure Satan's trials without being destroyed.
They are kept safe only as they stay joined to him in obedience. Hearing his voice and following him keeps a person from injuring his work, from walking in darkness, and from mistaking temptation for his leading. To sever from him is to go out into darkness and disorder, become unfit for any good and love evil deeds, since self-reliance with safety is possible only in God. When Bible reading, secret prayer, and morning and evening worship are left off and God is not reverenced and consulted, people separate from Jesus and then cherish temptations as the voice of the True Shepherd.
His care means those who listen to his voice will not be left in darkness nor left to be deceived and destroyed. His sheep will not follow strangers.
Admitted into his fold under the watchcare of the faithful and true Shepherd, his followers find pasture and obtain strength and hope. They are saved from every evil and shielded from all danger. They have found the pearl of great price, and the mind rests in peace. They are not troubled with restless longings for something to divert the mind and satisfy the heart. Their pleasures are pure, elevated, and heavenly, leaving no painful reflections and no remorse, and instead of enfeebling the body and prostrating the mind they give health and vigor to both.
Leading Without Driving Others
Because he calls and leads rather than drives, those who labor for his people must lead with tenderness, love, patience and personal care rather than trying to drive them. His people follow his voice, not a whip or coercive authority, so needed change and correction in his work must be carried out without harsh speeches that cut like a whip. Those who guide people who are erring must follow his example and with patience and love lead rather than drive them toward the right way, away from sin's byways.
Parents should likewise guide children without harshness or unreasonable demands, because his sheep hear his voice, are known by him, and follow him willingly, being led and not forced into obedience. Force cannot bring them to the Lord and harshness can drive them away, while love leads them toward him. He is the great Shepherd who calls his sheep, and children and youth are led to Jesus as they learn to recognize his call and follow him. Their following him and giving their hearts fully to be ready to listen to the voice of the true Shepherd brings joy to those who teach and guide them.
Church organization exists to secure unity of action and to protect his people from imposture, never as a scourge to compel obedience, for as the living Head he leads the way and calls his people to follow, he knows them, they hear his voice, and they follow him. Believers must follow Jesus individually rather than place implicit confidence in human-run organizations when their leaders do not know the true Shepherd's voice. They can seek their duty and light from the Bible and the living Saviour, looking to Christ and not to church or conference leaders as head of the church for understanding and duty. Hearing the true Shepherd's voice and following him is the test of whose guidance to trust, so human decisions or authority are not to be automatically respected.
Those placed in charge in his cause must obtain an enlarged experience not in the things of self but in the things of God and an enlarged knowledge of the character of Christ. The more leaders know him, listen to him and heed his words, the more faithfully they represent him to the world. This closeness is especially required of ministers and responsible men, for his sheep live so close to him that they discern his voice, receive his counsel, keep his way, honor his name, and follow him. Without it they become exalted, walk in sparks of their own kindling, cease to be spiritual, fail to discern his voice and to understand Satan's devices and workings, and adopt plans and measures that appear wise and right but are instigated by the enemy to place a human mold upon his work and dishonor his name.
Rejecting Strange False Voices
Those who do not believe are not his sheep, for hearing God's words marks those who belong to God and distinguishes his followers from those who accept error. His sheep recognize and heed his voice, are known by him, and follow him, while those who refuse to believe his witness are not his; his works also bear witness to who he is. His sheep turn from a stranger's voice and rejoice in the voice they have loved to follow, and confidence in him keeps them from heeding insinuations meant to sow unbelief and doubt.
His people must learn to distinguish his truthful voice from the voice of a stranger, the tempter, the world and the deceiver, so they are not led astray from the work God gives them or into unsafe paths. They must remain close to the true Shepherd and not be led astray by deceptive teachers who oppose the truth, for he calls people away from paths that lead them astray and draws them to himself. They must heed his voice rather than Satan's deceptive counsel, which exploits their weaknesses and leads them into danger. Watchfulness, prayer, and personal study of Scripture under his guidance help them recognize his voice, and following the Spirit is not a passing emotional excitement but an abiding, quiet trust in God. Those who respond may serve God wherever they are, with Christ beside them.
Hearing him for themselves means refusing to accept human ideas, opinions and judgments as the voice of God, refusing to become the echo of any man however lofty his position, refusing to plead against the truth, and refusing to put trust in man or make flesh an arm. It means looking to God, trusting his infallible wisdom, searching the Scriptures for oneself, and being braced for duty and trial by the truth of God's Word with Christlike integrity and consistency. Listening to the True Shepherd rather than treating human leaders as God's voice keeps them from being led astray, for his plain teaching in Scripture must not be set aside because influential or respected people urge other ideas. The verse is a test of whose guidance to trust: they should listen for Christ's voice, not automatically respect human decisions or authority.
Those who are closely connected with God recognize his voice, are spiritually discerning, and receive his correction with gratitude, while those who trust in themselves become less able to recognize God's voice. People who accept deceptive impressions and fanaticism have not learned that voice. Those who are not in close connection with God cannot discern that voice, but accept the opinions of men as light and truth while rejecting the words the Lord sends. Having blinded their own eyes by choosing darkness rather than light, they cannot discern light from heaven and are inclined to accept falsehood, and they cannot discern light from heaven or truth for this time even when evidence is piled upon evidence before their eyes. Their influence leads many astray, and those who hear his voice will not make speeches to create sympathy or leave the impression that God's people are at variance and at enmity with one another. They must discern his voice among competing voices and obey the light God gives them.
Losing the sound of his voice leaves a church spiritually blind and following a stranger who leads it away from his fold. Teachers and students need the ability to recognize the Shepherd's voice so they can respond to God rather than be misled by educators they trust. Remaining closely connected with God is the safeguard against being misled, for those who accept human opinions instead of remaining closely connected with God cannot discern that voice and may lead others astray despite clear evidence of truth.
Unity Mission and Endurance
Those who belong to him are not to be scattered by divisive conduct but are to reflect his spirit and preserve Christian unity. Putting away strife and human party divisions and ending striving for supremacy, they bear one united testimony in cleaving to Christ as personal Saviour. Keeping communication open between the soul and God enables others to recognize Christ, who gave his life for them, and those who hear his voice will not create the impression that his people are at variance and at enmity with one another.
When persecution comes and the storm breaks, true followers recognize the Shepherd's voice, remain faithful, and gather to him. They draw together and present a united front, cleaving to Christ and rejoicing in him as personal Saviour. Through self-denying efforts those who had strayed from the fold come back to follow the great Shepherd, while those who had great light but did not receive the love of the truth go out and depart from the faith under delusion.
His voice calls his sheep to carry the gospel to every soul on earth. That call is heard in the Macedonian call for help sounding from all countries, in fields opened before his followers, in heavenly beings cooperating with men, in providence going before, and in divine power working with human effort. Blind eyes do not see this working and deaf ears do not hear this call, leaving those who should be in the front ranks listless and faithless and behind where they should be, while those who hear respond in humility and faithfulness by taking up their God-given work and proclaiming the life-giving message, with divine power then revealed in the conversion of many to the truth. As his sheep recognize the voice of the Lord they become clear in regard to their duty to bear witness to the truth in the cities, and even when perplexed, following the best light they have leads the Lord to cause them to see their duty more distinctly and to see clearly his will concerning them.
When he gives someone light to go to a place, that person should be allowed to follow his guidance rather than being held back or restrained. The aim is to do God's will and way.
True education gives the knowledge of God the Creator and Jesus Christ the Redeemer, and this knowledge renews the mind and transforms the character. A renewed mind is strengthened and fortified against the deceptive whisperings of the adversary, is made able to recognize God's voice, and is fitted to become a co-worker with Christ, whereas without this hearing even all the knowledge books can give leaves a person ignorant of the first principles of righteousness and unplaced in the ranks of the Lord. Teachers and students need to recognize the Shepherd's voice and respond to the Holy Spirit's cautions and call and reproof to repentance, not merely agree that the Spirit works in conversion, lest they be misled by trusted educators.
The call is personal to each one, to hear his voice and follow him. As to Philip, it is to stop refusing the Lord's call, return to God, and take a place in his service wherever placed, with Christ beside them.
Christ's sheep are those who believe in Him and belong to Him in helpless dependence on Him as their Shepherd. He knows those who are His own, distinguishing and recognizing them, even knowing each follower individually by name, dwelling place, distress and cry for help. To hear His voice is to recognize it above every other voice, to understand truth as it is in Jesus, and to obey exactly what He says as doers of the Word. He does not drive His flock but leads them, and they follow Him willingly wherever He goes, walking in obedience to His Word, law and commandments. Those who thus hear and follow receive eternal life from Him, will never perish, and no one can pluck them from His hand or from the Father's hand.
Shepherd and Sheep Identity
The sheep are those who believe in Christ; they belong to him and follow him in helpless dependence as sheep depend on a shepherd. To belong to him is to be recognized by him, and those who are his prove it by hearing his voice and responding to it. He knows those who are his own, distinguishes them as his, and they show themselves his by listening to him and doing exactly what he tells them as doers of the Word. In contrast to unfaithful leaders who drive the flock away and betray their trust, he draws his people to himself, seeks the lost, and cares for them. Those who thus belong to him receive eternal life from him and are kept secure in his hand and the Father's hand, where no one can take them away.
He knows each follower individually by name, as fully as if that soul were the only one he had died for. He keeps each one ever in mind, knows the very house where each lives and the name of each person in it, and at times directs his servants to a certain street and house in a certain city to find one of his sheep. Every distress touches his heart, every cry for help reaches his ear, and he is touched with the feeling of each person's infirmities. He cares for believers far more than for the birds he feeds, caring for each one as if there were no other on earth, with a peculiar love for each child.
Belonging to him as his sheep rests on creation and on his giving his life for the sheep at the price of his precious blood. The whole human family is entrusted to him as faithful Chief Shepherd, to be tended with pastoral care and guarded through faithful under-shepherds so that those who obey his voice are kept safe and not left to be devoured by wolves. He is the one good and true Shepherd who laid down his life not for one flock, kindred, or nation only but for all the sheep of his pasture around the world. His sheep are scattered on hills and in deserts and throughout the world, yet the Great Shepherd calls them all and everyone may come to him by hearing and knowing the voice of the true Shepherd and following him. By his Spirit he draws every heart to come to him, yet many refuse to be drawn.
He calls all people to follow him, seeks those who wander, and by the light of his word reveals their danger through warnings, reproofs, and invitations to return to the right path. He gives his life for the sheep, and with his works this bears witness that he is the true Shepherd. His true sheep recognize and respond to his voice, know him as their Shepherd, place themselves under his pastoral care, and follow his leading, with the shepherd's naming and leading of the sheep illustrating this personal recognition and willing response. Those who do not believe him are not of his sheep, and those who persist in sin may refuse to hear his voice, resist his pleadings, abandon the rest and security he offers, and follow a false guide farther from light, peace, happiness, and rest. Children too are his lambs; they belong to him and are under his care, with angels keeping watch over them so that harm will not come to them.
Hearing the Shepherd's Voice
Hearing means recognizing the Shepherd's voice above every other voice, appreciating his words, understanding the thoughts of heaven, and distinguishing the truth as it is in Jesus from all error. Those who so hear are known by him and follow him, in contrast to those who do not believe because they are not his sheep, and this hearing marks his followers apart from those who accept error. Received into the heart, that truth refreshes the soul with gladness and transforms the character, and following means practicing the truth and obeying the Word because he does not walk in darkness.
A heart yearning and longing for God recognizes God's voice and responds to the love and grace he offers. Every heart can respond if willing, but he does not work in the soul that refuses his offered grace, and not every heart does respond. Stubbornness and turning away from his will close the ears to his call, so that those who resist his voice may instead accept a stranger's voice and follow unsafe paths.
Many young people have not yet heard his voice, so the saving message has not taken hold of their souls or brought reformation of life. Hearing is more than hearing; it means obeying exactly what he says as doers of the Word. It means knowing one's own duty directly from him and feeling its claim instead of depending on other people to know duty, and this direct, obedient hearing fits men to be wanted and sent as laborers. The promise that he gives eternal life, that they shall never perish and none shall pluck them from his hand, is made only on this condition of hearing and following, which is the only election taught in Scripture.
Discerning his voice requires living close beside him, receiving his counsel, keeping his way, and honoring his name. It requires putting away pride and lofty ideas of self and humbling the heart as a little child, learning with meekness and lowliness, childlike faith, and a heart softened and subdued by the Spirit. It means knowing God by studying and contemplating his truth, recounting his mercies, recognizing his love in giving his Son to die, beholding Jesus lifted up in matchless loveliness, and sensing his great sacrifice so that every power is consecrated to saving the world. It requires solitude to search the Bible anew with humble hearts and earnest prayer to learn from the divine Teacher, suspending judging of others and unsanctified talk and speaking words to God in prayer rather than to men about men, and staying joined to him by secret prayer and morning and evening worship.
A self-exalting spirit that takes the place of teacher rather than learner, trusts in man and human reasoning and opinion, and lives far from him fails to discern his voice. Such ones walk in sparks of their own kindling, follow their own wisdom, and cannot understand Satan's devices and workings. Because of this separation they adopt measures that appear right and wise but are instigated by the enemy, place a human mold upon the work, give the enemy possession of the mind, make judgment worthless and decisions evil, and dishonor God.
His voice is heard in Scripture, in the Spirit acknowledged as the Shepherd's voice and followed, in the providences of God going before and working with human effort to advance present truth, and in messages sent through appointed human agencies and humble instruments. Hearing in that setting means looking beyond the visible speaker to Christ as Chief Minister speaking through the instrument, and recognizing God's voice in reproof even when spoken through a humble instrument, feeling grateful that errors are pointed out to save from ruin even when the darkened mind cannot yet see the sinfulness of the course. To hear testimony borne clearly and forcibly through his servant and not receive it is to fail to recognize the true Shepherd, while losing sight of Christ in the human officiant and thinking benefit depends on the instrument matching personal ideas prevents hearing and being benefited. Not to see the Lord's working and not to hear that call to go forward is spiritual blindness and deafness, leaving those who should be in the front ranks listless, faithless, and behind where they should be.
His voice is the voice of One who is one with the Father and on a level with the eternal throne, with the glory of God falling directly upon him and reflected to the world in his character, speaking with the authority of the living oracles. His works testified to his divine mission and character with divine credentials and heavenly authority and marked him out as the light of the world, and they with his voice bear witness that he is the true Shepherd whom his true sheep recognize, know, and follow. Yet those filled with self-righteousness and blinded by prejudice would not permit themselves to believe, did not know his voice and did not believe his word, turning from the true Shepherd to listen to the suggestions of the enemy, because the enemy was at work upon human hearts to keep the light from the people.
Following Christ in Obedience
His sheep follow willingly, for he leads his flock and does not drive it. His attitude toward them is wholly invitation and loving appeal, winning them by love rather than compulsion, pressure, stern censure, whip, or coercive authority. As living Head he calls and goes before them, and they hear his voice, are known by him, and follow.
Following means practicing the truth and obeying his Word, his law and his commandments. It means going where he leads the way and doing whatever he tells, walking in safe and right paths and rejecting principles that lead away. So kept, the feet stand on the solid rock above the mists and fogs of worldly skepticism, infidelity and unbelief, breathing security and triumph.
Following is continuing step by step to know the Lord, heeding his warnings and guidance instead of trusting self-confidence or choosing a path contrary to the light given. It accepts his leading into purifying change, including self-denying duties and reforms that run against settled habits, appetites, calculations, preferences and inclinations. It requires standing close beside him as Advocate and Surety, ceasing to trust in man and human devices and reasoning, and in simplicity of faith trusting in union of humanity with divinity.
Received into the heart, the truth he speaks refreshes the soul with gladness and transforms the character into Christlikeness. As his followers submit and keep step with him, he fills mind and soul with his Spirit and brings thoughts, aims and wills into harmony with God's will. Such a Christlike life leads others to become sons and daughters of God, with names written in the Lamb's book of life.
Hearing and following opens the heart to the perfection and fullness of his atoning work, filling the whole heart with love and thanksgiving to be revealed to others. His image engraved upon the heart is reflected in character and in practical daily life in representing a personal Saviour. When the Scriptures are searched the Holy Spirit is by the searcher's side as the presence of Jesus Christ, and those who listen will not be left in darkness nor follow strangers.
The promise that he gives eternal life, that they shall never perish and none shall pluck them from his hand, is made only on the condition of hearing his voice and following him. This conditional following is the only election taught in Scripture, shown by taking his yoke, lifting his burdens, possessing his meekness and lowliness, and growing more and more like him in character rather than following a stranger. His redeemed are kept safe only as they stay joined to him in obedience, since self-reliance and independence with safety are possible only in God; to sever from him is to go out into darkness and disorder, become unfit for any good, and love evil deeds.
Security and Eternal Life
Christ himself is the provision of the gospel feast, prepared at infinite cost through his death. As the bread come down from heaven, streams of salvation flow from him. Those who accept the invitation hear his voice, are known by him and follow him, and he gives them eternal life.
Those who hear and follow will never perish, and no one can pluck them from his hand. No one can take them from the Father's hand either, whose power is greater than all. This is his assurance of salvation for those who come to him.
In their own strength his followers are perfect weakness and cannot keep themselves. When they put whole trust in him they are kept by the power of God and kept safe in his love by One who has all power in heaven and earth. That security is received by hoping and praying and trusting his Word by faith. His love and guardian angels surround them even where the tempter lays nets to ensnare them. Those who trust Christ and rely on his atoning merits can meet trials and temptations as he met them and endure Satan's trials without being destroyed.
They are kept safe only as they stay joined to him in obedience. Hearing his voice and following him keeps a person from injuring his work, from walking in darkness, and from mistaking temptation for his leading. To sever from him is to go out into darkness and disorder, become unfit for any good and love evil deeds, since self-reliance with safety is possible only in God. When Bible reading, secret prayer, and morning and evening worship are left off and God is not reverenced and consulted, people separate from Jesus and then cherish temptations as the voice of the True Shepherd.
His care means those who listen to his voice will not be left in darkness nor left to be deceived and destroyed. His sheep will not follow strangers.
Admitted into his fold under the watchcare of the faithful and true Shepherd, his followers find pasture and obtain strength and hope. They are saved from every evil and shielded from all danger. They have found the pearl of great price, and the mind rests in peace. They are not troubled with restless longings for something to divert the mind and satisfy the heart. Their pleasures are pure, elevated, and heavenly, leaving no painful reflections and no remorse, and instead of enfeebling the body and prostrating the mind they give health and vigor to both.
Leading Without Driving Others
Because he calls and leads rather than drives, those who labor for his people must lead with tenderness, love, patience and personal care rather than trying to drive them. His people follow his voice, not a whip or coercive authority, so needed change and correction in his work must be carried out without harsh speeches that cut like a whip. Those who guide people who are erring must follow his example and with patience and love lead rather than drive them toward the right way, away from sin's byways.
Parents should likewise guide children without harshness or unreasonable demands, because his sheep hear his voice, are known by him, and follow him willingly, being led and not forced into obedience. Force cannot bring them to the Lord and harshness can drive them away, while love leads them toward him. He is the great Shepherd who calls his sheep, and children and youth are led to Jesus as they learn to recognize his call and follow him. Their following him and giving their hearts fully to be ready to listen to the voice of the true Shepherd brings joy to those who teach and guide them.
Church organization exists to secure unity of action and to protect his people from imposture, never as a scourge to compel obedience, for as the living Head he leads the way and calls his people to follow, he knows them, they hear his voice, and they follow him. Believers must follow Jesus individually rather than place implicit confidence in human-run organizations when their leaders do not know the true Shepherd's voice. They can seek their duty and light from the Bible and the living Saviour, looking to Christ and not to church or conference leaders as head of the church for understanding and duty. Hearing the true Shepherd's voice and following him is the test of whose guidance to trust, so human decisions or authority are not to be automatically respected.
Those placed in charge in his cause must obtain an enlarged experience not in the things of self but in the things of God and an enlarged knowledge of the character of Christ. The more leaders know him, listen to him and heed his words, the more faithfully they represent him to the world. This closeness is especially required of ministers and responsible men, for his sheep live so close to him that they discern his voice, receive his counsel, keep his way, honor his name, and follow him. Without it they become exalted, walk in sparks of their own kindling, cease to be spiritual, fail to discern his voice and to understand Satan's devices and workings, and adopt plans and measures that appear wise and right but are instigated by the enemy to place a human mold upon his work and dishonor his name.
Rejecting Strange False Voices
Those who do not believe are not his sheep, for hearing God's words marks those who belong to God and distinguishes his followers from those who accept error. His sheep recognize and heed his voice, are known by him, and follow him, while those who refuse to believe his witness are not his; his works also bear witness to who he is. His sheep turn from a stranger's voice and rejoice in the voice they have loved to follow, and confidence in him keeps them from heeding insinuations meant to sow unbelief and doubt.
His people must learn to distinguish his truthful voice from the voice of a stranger, the tempter, the world and the deceiver, so they are not led astray from the work God gives them or into unsafe paths. They must remain close to the true Shepherd and not be led astray by deceptive teachers who oppose the truth, for he calls people away from paths that lead them astray and draws them to himself. They must heed his voice rather than Satan's deceptive counsel, which exploits their weaknesses and leads them into danger. Watchfulness, prayer, and personal study of Scripture under his guidance help them recognize his voice, and following the Spirit is not a passing emotional excitement but an abiding, quiet trust in God. Those who respond may serve God wherever they are, with Christ beside them.
Hearing him for themselves means refusing to accept human ideas, opinions and judgments as the voice of God, refusing to become the echo of any man however lofty his position, refusing to plead against the truth, and refusing to put trust in man or make flesh an arm. It means looking to God, trusting his infallible wisdom, searching the Scriptures for oneself, and being braced for duty and trial by the truth of God's Word with Christlike integrity and consistency. Listening to the True Shepherd rather than treating human leaders as God's voice keeps them from being led astray, for his plain teaching in Scripture must not be set aside because influential or respected people urge other ideas. The verse is a test of whose guidance to trust: they should listen for Christ's voice, not automatically respect human decisions or authority.
Those who are closely connected with God recognize his voice, are spiritually discerning, and receive his correction with gratitude, while those who trust in themselves become less able to recognize God's voice. People who accept deceptive impressions and fanaticism have not learned that voice. Those who are not in close connection with God cannot discern that voice, but accept the opinions of men as light and truth while rejecting the words the Lord sends. Having blinded their own eyes by choosing darkness rather than light, they cannot discern light from heaven and are inclined to accept falsehood, and they cannot discern light from heaven or truth for this time even when evidence is piled upon evidence before their eyes. Their influence leads many astray, and those who hear his voice will not make speeches to create sympathy or leave the impression that God's people are at variance and at enmity with one another. They must discern his voice among competing voices and obey the light God gives them.
Losing the sound of his voice leaves a church spiritually blind and following a stranger who leads it away from his fold. Teachers and students need the ability to recognize the Shepherd's voice so they can respond to God rather than be misled by educators they trust. Remaining closely connected with God is the safeguard against being misled, for those who accept human opinions instead of remaining closely connected with God cannot discern that voice and may lead others astray despite clear evidence of truth.
Unity Mission and Endurance
Those who belong to him are not to be scattered by divisive conduct but are to reflect his spirit and preserve Christian unity. Putting away strife and human party divisions and ending striving for supremacy, they bear one united testimony in cleaving to Christ as personal Saviour. Keeping communication open between the soul and God enables others to recognize Christ, who gave his life for them, and those who hear his voice will not create the impression that his people are at variance and at enmity with one another.
When persecution comes and the storm breaks, true followers recognize the Shepherd's voice, remain faithful, and gather to him. They draw together and present a united front, cleaving to Christ and rejoicing in him as personal Saviour. Through self-denying efforts those who had strayed from the fold come back to follow the great Shepherd, while those who had great light but did not receive the love of the truth go out and depart from the faith under delusion.
His voice calls his sheep to carry the gospel to every soul on earth. That call is heard in the Macedonian call for help sounding from all countries, in fields opened before his followers, in heavenly beings cooperating with men, in providence going before, and in divine power working with human effort. Blind eyes do not see this working and deaf ears do not hear this call, leaving those who should be in the front ranks listless and faithless and behind where they should be, while those who hear respond in humility and faithfulness by taking up their God-given work and proclaiming the life-giving message, with divine power then revealed in the conversion of many to the truth. As his sheep recognize the voice of the Lord they become clear in regard to their duty to bear witness to the truth in the cities, and even when perplexed, following the best light they have leads the Lord to cause them to see their duty more distinctly and to see clearly his will concerning them.
When he gives someone light to go to a place, that person should be allowed to follow his guidance rather than being held back or restrained. The aim is to do God's will and way.
True education gives the knowledge of God the Creator and Jesus Christ the Redeemer, and this knowledge renews the mind and transforms the character. A renewed mind is strengthened and fortified against the deceptive whisperings of the adversary, is made able to recognize God's voice, and is fitted to become a co-worker with Christ, whereas without this hearing even all the knowledge books can give leaves a person ignorant of the first principles of righteousness and unplaced in the ranks of the Lord. Teachers and students need to recognize the Shepherd's voice and respond to the Holy Spirit's cautions and call and reproof to repentance, not merely agree that the Spirit works in conversion, lest they be misled by trusted educators.
The call is personal to each one, to hear his voice and follow him. As to Philip, it is to stop refusing the Lord's call, return to God, and take a place in his service wherever placed, with Christ beside them.