John 10:27-30 NLT‬
[27] My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. [28] I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, [29] for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. [30] The Father and I are one.”

What a profound promise! Is it possible to be eternally secure and to know it? Jesus said it is. What makes it possible for a person to go through life with an unshakeable conviction that his/her future with God in heaven
is guaranteed?

How many times did Jesus’ opponents ask Him the same questions! It seems that they has spiritual Alzheimers because, no matter how many times they asked Him the source of His authority, they “forgot” His reply and asked the same question again.

‭John 10:24-26 NLT‬
[24] “The people surrounded him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” [25] Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name. [26] But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep.”

Still using the imagery of shepherd and sheep, Jesus responded with this profound reply.

‭John 10:26-27 NLT‬
[26]”But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. [27] My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

The difference between those who do not believe in Jesus and those who do, is simple….connection!

When one person knows another person, they have a connection. Understanding, empathy, involvement, participation, trust, love, togetherness, friendship, are all in the mix.

How does the connection between a believer and Jesus come about? Another important word joins “connection” – that is “identification”. Far more than knowing Him on a merely human level, identification with Him takes the believer into a connection with Jesus that enables them to participate with Him in His death and in His life.

‭Galatians 2:20 NLT‬
[20] “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

This connection and this identification with Jesus also takes the believer into a union with Him so intimate that we can hear Him speaking to us in our innermost being. Jesus gave us His Spirit to be His presence in us, closer to us than our breath. When He speaks, we are able to hear Him because we are joined to Him in the spirit realm.

His sheep, then, hear His voice and follow Him. Other voices, like the voice of the false shepherd, the hireling who has no interest in or concern for the sheep, can only drown out the Shepherd’s voice if we are not listening to the Shepherd.

Jesus’ sheep can only hear His voice if they are listening. Hearing is a function of the ear. Listening is a response of the heart. It takes a lifetime to learn to listen to the voice of Jesus’ Spirit that is guiding us safely home.

Only this connection and identification with Jesus can guarantee us a safe passage to the Father. He holds on to us as we hold on to Him. This is a mystery. Jesus said we can never perish. That’s His promise.

But He also warned…

‭Matthew 24:12-13 NLT‬
[12] “Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. [13] But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”

‭Mark 13:13 NLT‬
[13] “And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”

Does this mean that someone can be lost who was once saved? I think that Jesus was speaking from the perspective of eternity. His sheep will never perish because they will endure to the end because the Father has them in His hand. From God’s point of view, it’s a done deal.

Jesus did not mean that we can take anything for granted. Security in Him involves listening to His voice and following Him. THEN, we shall never perish because our connection to Him is secure.