“This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.” vs6

We’ll never understand the things of God, unless we are enlightened! This puts us in a desperate condition. The carnal natural born man cannot see the things of God. So, he must be born again from above. The first birth has left us blind and darkened in sin. We are depraved, so that we can’t look up, so we look to ourselves and twist the Scripture. We need a new birth that only God can give, but it is clear that He gives it to sinners. John 9:41, “Jesus said to them, ‘If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.”

If you were blind, then you’d have no sin. You say you see - you understand the things of God, you have a natural spark, and you have will power? If so, then you are utterly deceived. Only sinners obtain mercy in the kingdom. They are taught by God and provide nothing.

Secondly, Jesus lays His life down for particular people. These are the sheep that hear His voice.

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” vs15

His blood was not shed in vain: He knew exactly the people He’d die for and make atonement. His blood is the ransom price already paid. Faith enters the inheritance, but it does not aid the atonement. Our sins were paid for… if we trust Christ… before our birth, including our unbelief. We are marked out as those who hear His voice. Vs4, “And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.”

The only evidence you have that Christ savingly died for you is that you follow Him. You hear His voice in the gospel, and walk by His commands. These only are the people whose sins are forgiven and have a boast of heaven. Everyone else, no matter how religious and sincere, has no evidence that they are redeemed.

Thirdly, Jesus gives us something that is secure.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” vs27-28

There is no possibility of losing salvation. Some think they are saved and get choked by the world. Matt 13:22, “Now he who received seed song the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.” Others may appear lost and backslidden, but they will be recovered [Acts 20:7-12]. No believer established by God shall ever fall away from the sweetness of the kingdom; it is impossible.

One, the Son has died for our sins, so how can they separate us from Christ [Heb 8:12]. Two, the Father has predetermined our salvation, so how can His purpose fail? Three, the Spirit has promised to keep us: He is the guarantee of the full inheritance, so how can He fail one for who Christ died and the Father chose [Eph 1:14]? People think believers can lose salvation, because they do not know the purpose, the purchase, or the power of God. They think salvation depends on man.