God's true sheep have special characteristics. His true sheep are marked - not by many marks - but actually by two distinct marks.
Do you know what they are? And, as one who claims to be a Christian, do you have them?
In John 10:27, Jesus outlined for us the two distinct marks of His sheep (the "ear" mark and the "foot" mark) when He said - "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."
His true sheep have the "ear" mark - they "hear His voice." And they have the "foot" mark - they "follow Him."
In this verse of Scripture, it is recorded that Jesus unashamedly calls them - "My sheep." By using these words, He was implying that there would be those who would not be "His sheep" - yet pretend to be so by all appearances.
Never have we seen a time when that is happening like right now! So many are claiming to be one of Jesus' "sheep," yet they are phonies and hypocrites.
He called them - "My sheep." He was saying - "These are My people. They comprise My true church. You will recognize them by two distinct marks. Be sure to look for these traits."
His "sheep" "hear His voice." In other words, they hear spiritually and obediently...with both ear and heart...and obey His commandments. They recognize their Master's "voice" - delight in it... discern it...and give special attention to it. They are in their "element" when they are sitting at His feet to hear His Word in order to do accordingly. In other words, they make His Word their rule.
When Jesus spoke the words - "My sheep hear My voice" - He was also implying that were many "voices" in the world - even "voices" that would dare to imitate His "voice" and possibly lead the "sheep" astray.
The Pulpit Commentary had this to say in comment - "In the religious world, there are many voices - that of the stranger, the thief, and the hireling. It is a Babel of sounds, and Christ's voice is imitated. But believers recognize the voice of Jesus amidst all, and they recognize it as the voice of the Son of God and their Savior."
Stop for a minute and think about what is being said here. There are "many voices" "in the religious world." That fact cannot be denied!
"There is a "Babel of sounds." And "Christ's voice" is being imitated by many "strangers, thieves, and hirelings" (don't lose sight of the particular words being used here).
However, it is the true believer - "My sheep" - who is able to distinguish between the true and the false - between the "voice" of the "Shepherd" and the seductive "voices" of the "strangers, thieves, and hirelings."
Are you one of those "sheep"? Can you clearly discern Jesus' "voice" among the many "voices" - especially found "in the religious world"? Just how important is obedience to you? Are you "hearing" and obeying what the Master says to do or are you looking for an "easy grace" message?
If you are hearing spiritually and obediently, then indeed you have the "ear mark" - demonstrating that you are one of His "sheep."
But, then comes the "foot mark."
Jesus said that "My sheep" "follow Me." Their "hearing" results in "following." Their receptivity brings forth active obedience.
His "sheep" submit to His guidance by a willing obedience to all of His commands and a cheerful conformity to His Spirit and pattern. His word of command from the start has always been - "Follow Me." Hence, His "sheep" eye Him as their Leader, Captain, Teacher, and Example - treading in His steps...walking as He walks...and following the prescriptions of His Word and the directions of His Spirit.
They have no problem following the natural and Divine order - Master first, then disciples. They understand that the Shepherd is to be in the front and the sheep behind. He commands, and they obey. He goes before, and they follow. He writes a copy, and they imitate it.
In John 10:4-5, Jesus added this about "My sheep" - "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."
The ideal "sheep" of His flock recognize Who their true Leader is. Therefore, they discriminate their own Shepherd from all others.
"...they know not the voice of strangers" - They do not approve of their doctrine...take no delight in it ...nor receive any profit from it. They do not "entertain" or "support" "strangers" - they "flee from them."
In order to understand further, read this fitting illustration from The Biblical Illustrator - "An American, who was travelling in Syria, saw three native shepherds bring their flocks to the same brook, and the flocks drank there together. At length, one shepherd arose and called out 'Men-ah! Men-ah!' the Arabic for 'Follow me.' His sheep came out of the common herd and followed him up the hillside. Then the next shepherd did the same, and his sheep went away with him, and the man did not even stop to count them. The traveler said to the remaining shepherd - 'Just give me your turban and crook, and see if they will not follow me as soon as you.' He put on the shepherd's dress and called out "Men-ah! Men-ah!" but not a sheep moved. 'They know not the voice of a stranger.' 'Will your flock never follow anybody but you?' inquired the gentleman. The Syrian shepherd replied, 'Oh, yes; sometimes a sheep gets sick and then he will follow anyone.' Is it not so with the flock of Christ?"
"Is it not so with the flock of Christ?" Just how many "sheep" are "sick" today because they have been eating the wrong kind of "spiritual food"?
Consequently, they are following anyone and everyone - all but the Shepherd - the Lord Jesus Christ!
What kind of "spiritual food" are you eating? At whose "spiritual table" are you "feasting"?
It is imperative that you demonstrate the true marks of Jesus' "sheep" - the "ear" mark - "My sheep hear My voice" - and the "feet" mark - "and they follow Me."
But just as important is the fact that you know at whose "spiritual table" you are feasting.
Who's in your "ship" (your life)? Are those who are speaking into your life demonstrating the true marks of one of JESUS' "sheep" - obeying His Word and following His Leadership?
In Acts 27, we read an account where Paul - one of Jesus' true "sheep" - was "hearing" the voice of the Shepherd. And, because he was one of the Lord's true "followers," all those caught in the "storm" were spared of death.
Acts 27:9-11 relates - "...Paul admonished them, And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, than those things which were spoken by Paul."
Acts 27:21-25 then adds - "But after long abstinence, Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, Whose I am, and Whom I serve. Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me."
If only those men would have been cognizant of who was in their "ship" during this "storm." Paul just happened to be one of Jesus' true "sheep" - one who "heard His voice, and followed Him" and was "known" of God.
It is so important in these Last Days that you know those who labor among you (1 Thessalonians 5:12).
Knowing this can save you from certain "shipwreck."
We, at Walking In Truth Ministry, are Jesus' true "sheep." We hear from God. Our messages attest to that fact. Our "hearing" is the result of our
"following." And, in heeding the "word" that God sends through us, we are confident that you will be spared from the many pitfalls in life.
To all those who faithfully support us every month with your financial gift, we want to say - "Thank You" - from the bottom of our hearts. We could never have accomplished all that we are doing without your help! May the Lord reward you richly in this life and in the life to come! We know that He will!
At this time, if you would like to be a blessing to this ministry, you can make your check out to - Walking In Truth Ministry - and mail it to the following address -
Walking In Truth Ministry
P.O. Box 383016
Duncanville, TX 75138-3016
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Thank you ahead of time for your gracious gift,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved