John 10:27-29
For Whom the Lord Loves He Reproves
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”
“My sheep hear My voice and I know them and they follow Me.” That pull on your heart that comes over you once in a while reminding you that you need to spend more time with God, praying and reading His word – this is the voice of Jesus to your soul. Jesus says that you will hear His voice. Gently He continues to remind us to spend time with Him and to let go of the distractions that keep us from doing so. However, it is the second part that is the most important for us to take note of. “They will follow Me.” Not only does Jesus irresistibly call us, but following Him is the necessary step He has given us to do.
To follow Jesus first leads us through the path of letting go of all our sinful pursuits. This is a challenging step that requires self-denial and much time with God to overcome. But everyday we have to get up with a fresh determination that we desire to leave the old way of life behind. If we look back and desire those things again we lose a lot of ground and our walk with Jesus becomes painful instead of joyful because our hearts have become divided between love for God and love for the world. To enjoy our life with Christ we must truly let go of those old desires. We cannot walk in the fullness of joy as Jesus has promised for us if our hearts are not fully His. We must let go of sin.
Now if you struggle with this and cannot let go of some particular sin in your life, do not despair. Jesus has given us another promise, one that takes over when we can’t let go of certain sins. It is called discipline. Jesus says that no one will be able to snatch us from His Father’s hand which means that He will step in and help us to overcome our weaknesses. So we can expect hardships and painful experiences to come upon us until we let go of those sins we have been holding onto. God will not leave us in our sinful pleasures. He will be faithful to purify us from them because those things will not be in Heaven and if we cannot let go of them now we will not be able to let go of them in Heaven. Proverbs 3:11-13 says it well. “My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord, or loathe His reproof, for whom the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father, the son in whom he delights.” So if you have weaknesses in your life that you are allowing to remain there, God will send discipline to remove it. It is part of His loving commitment to preserve your soul for eternity. It is also the greatest blessing, for when we let those sins go a joy and excitement will come flooding into our hearts that is almost inexpressible and to wonderful to describe, for we are at peace with God and have let go of the things that were bringing ruin upon our lives and upon our households.
Take a moment to read Psalm 119: 97-104. David is talking about the beauty of obeying God’s commandments. Here is an excerpt from it. “Oh how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day. Thy commandments make me wiser than my enemies.” God’s commandments make us wiser than our enemy and all of his sinful desires that he tries to fill our lives with. And God’s discipline gives us the fear of God that we need in order to stay away from them. In keeping His commandments there is a great reward! Our lives will not self-destruct, but will become fruitful and a blessing to many people.
Oh let us give heed to Jesus’ voice and follow Him with our whole heart! That we shall never perish but have eternal life!
Hi Seth. I love your weekly messages. They really make one think and re-evaluat his and her life.
ReplyDeleteClaudette CT
Sheep will be headed in any way that you push them. I think it's a relief to some people to confess bad things, or sins they've done. I believe that God will speak to me or anyone or send some sort of help to relieve me of my sins.
ReplyDeleteTerri Naugatuck,
ReplyDeleteI think about how He's really nice that "sheep" would follow without sensing threat. I think it would be pretty hard( referring to letting go of sinful persuits) because it's not easy. For me I don't have any weakness, because I feel I've done pretty good in life.
Stephen Naugatuck
I think Jesus was talking about children. It is great God will always love you no matter what. Yes, I do have sins in my life that I can't let go. And I believe God will send discipline to remove them.
ReplyDeleteRon Naugatuck
ReplyDeleteReferring to letting go of sinful pursuits for God, Vaness wrote...I think it is a good idea so you will be more pure in God's eyes. Yes I do have weakness and no I do not believe God will send discipline to remove them because God forgives me all. No matter now bad. Vanessa Naugatuck
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this I think that when we hear Jesus and know he is there we follow. I believe that its important to let go of our sins for God .If God forgives our sins so should we. I think everyone has weaknesses and flaws. We shouldn't let them bother us. We should let God forgive us and help us in fixing the wrong we might have by sending discipline to remove them. Kerstin Naugatuck
I feel about letting go of sin you will feel better about yourself. I have a weakness in my life I can't let go is my grandfather.
ReplyDeleteBri Naugatuck
I feel that letting go of sins for God is a great way to live. I have weaknesses in my life I feel that if I can't let go, God will send discipline to help me let go of my sins.
ReplyDeleteTaylor Naugatuck
Dear Seth,
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to be reminded that I need to assess and evaluate myself to ensure I'm in alignment with GOD's WORD and HIS requirements. The greatest benefit of working hard on being disciplined is that I will be preparing myself for JESUS' return.
In my secular job, during the admission process, I ask patients about their plans, goals to get better. This requires a pathway of plan, which requires action. Everything that this person will do during this time is something which should help the individual get to a place of "balance" "wellness". But in order to get to the goal should there be an identified problem this has to be fixed.
I believe that GOD will help us through any situation if we teach ourselves to go to HIM in prayer through the wonderful name of JESUS. "Yes, I know HE will fight my battle if I be still, HE is my fence around me everyday"
As a "Born Again" Christian my goal is to go with JESUS when HE comes to take us home. And of course there are areas in my life that I need the "Spirit of GOD" to help me redirect their course. This requires involvement, praying, reading the BIBLE, hearing from the servants of GOD... spending time with GOD. And, I'm so encouraged by your message Seth.
Thanks very much again.
GOD's Blessings.
Sophia, CT
I think Jesus is saying that he wants everyone to follow him and his beliefs. I think it is good to let go of sinful things in our lives for Jesus. Yes, I believe he will help me remove all sinful things in my life. Haley Naugatuck
ReplyDeleteHis followers are the sheep and he knows them all. (About letting go of sinful pursuits)hey should not happen and should be stopped. I do not have weakness in my life so I dont believe I will be disciplined. Demetris Naugatuck
ReplyDeleteI think Jesus does truely remind us to follow him,that he loves us. I think there is nothing better to motivate letting go ot sin than God. I have many weaknesses . I believe God gives opportunity to be strong but doesnt provide strength. Brittany 20
ReplyDeleteThe Shepard of the flock is the leader of them. The Shepard cares for His sheep and they follow. Thee bible says the gate is narrow. In order to go through, you must remove all things. We all have sinned and come short of His glory. No one is perfect, but we strive for perfection to be with the Father. Sophia Naugatuck
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this I think that when we hear Jesus and know he is there we follow. I believe that its important to let go of our sins for God. If God forgives our sins than so should we. I think everyone has weaknesses and flaws. We shouldnt let them bother us. We should let God forgive us and help us in fixing the wrong we might have by sending discipline to remove them. Kerstin Naugatuck
ReplyDeleteI feel that letting go of sins for God is a great way to live your life. I have weaknesses in my life and I feel that if I can't let go, God will send discipline to help me let go of my sins. Taylor Naugatuck
ReplyDeleteI think it is a good idea (letting go of sinful pursuits for God) so you will be more pure in God's eyes. I do not think God will send discipline to remove them because God forgives me/all no matter how bad. Vanessa Naugatuck
ReplyDeleteI think about letting go you will feel better about yourself. I have weakness in my life I cant let go is my grandfather. Bri Naugatuck
ReplyDeleteI think God would not leave us in sin. I believe God will send me discipline. I get a pull on my heart. I hear the voice of Jesus. He dont want me to do bad stuff. Keon Waterbury
ReplyDeleteIt makes me feel like Jesus always hear me and now the sound of my voice. In the midst of letting go of sinful pursuits now. If he die for me why not let go and live for him. Yes 8 do weakness its anger and I believe hold hearted that the Lord will deliver me. (Pull on heart) Yes and I try hard not to fight against it and I always acknowledge it az its the right way to go. Evette New Haven
ReplyDeleteI always listen to Jesus and do what he says. Letting go things that keeps us from him. My weakness is to stop hanging out with people that dont serve God. When I want to go out and party I get sick or there's always something wrong at where I was suppose to go.
ReplyDeleteDiana Waterbury
I got weaknesses , sins I cant let go. I never get that pull on my heart. I dont think I need to let go of sin for God. Gloria Naugatuck
ReplyDeleteI believe Jesus is trying to better our lives. When we follow him we will be happy with life and not the material thing we think make us happy. I feel it may be hard (letting go of sinful pursuits) but if you are willing you can do it. (Having Weaknesses and sin) Yes I do. No one is perfect but in time I will let go. Sometimes I do get a pull on my heart . Luz Waterbury
ReplyDeleteMatthew Answers.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think about letting go of sinful pursuits for God? IT'S IT'S THE ONLY WAY.
Do you have any weaknesses and do you believe God will send discipline to remove them? MOST PEOPLE DO WETHER THEY KNOW IT OR NOT.
Do you ever get a "pull on your heart" (the voice of Jesus) when you do something you know God does not want you to do? OH YEA!
Matthew (my name)....like in the bible Naugatuck
I think its a good thing for people to believe and can be helpful to those struggling with anything. Question- Do you got any weaknesses in your life,sins, you can't let go of "I feel like everyone does", but I dont believe in God entirely".
ReplyDeleteQuestion- Do you ever get that "pull on your heart" when you're about to do something you know God does not want you to do? "Sometimes, but I'm doubtfull if God is real". Shannon Naugatuck
I think I've learned something from peoples answers to if they ever get "that pull on their heart" from the "voice of Jesus". If I recall correctly (I am not on internet right now,and am not on the webpage) there were commenters who wrote like they do not follow Jesus, dont know Him personally, yet, they at times get that pull on their heart from Him when they are about to do something He does not want them to do. What I think I learned is, even before we know Jesus personally, before we started following Him, He was always there trying to get us to follow Him. Claudette CT
ReplyDeleteWow! This morning I read something in the bible where God Himself was talking. It relates to my last comment.( I read this only after I did the comment. Could it be a coincidence or...) He said," I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me, To a nation that did not call on my Name, I said, Here am I, here am I. All day long I held out My hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations- a people who continually provoke Me to My face..." - GOD
ReplyDeleteIsaiah 65;1-3
Could these words of God apply today?
I think we are Jesus' sheep and he knows us and we know him. It is an important part of faith(referring to letting go of sins for God). I still have a weakness I need to let go of. I pray he will help me. I pray he will help me remove it. (Question-Do you ever get that pull on your heart) "Never because of my sin(cigarette smoking) but I did feel it in prayer and have never felt that type of joy in my life. I felt such joy I could never explain. Lisa Naugatuck
ReplyDeleteQuestion-What do you think about what Jesus said? "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me". Maurice anwered- PROBABLY TRUE,BUT HAS NOT BEEN MY EXPERIENCE.
ReplyDeleteQuestion-What do you think of letting go of sinful pursuits for God?
Answer- Good idea if you can do it. Question- Ever get that pull on heart when your about to do something God doesnt want you to do? NO Question - Got any weaknesses in your life cant let go of and do you believe God will send discipline to remove them? I DON'T THINK SO. MAURICE Naugatuck