.
• John 10:7 . . I am the door; if anyone enters through me, he shall be
saved
The good shepherd's sheep are sometimes mocked as having a license to
steal; and fact of the matter is they do, from a certain point of view.
Before his sheep were saved; their sins were a criminal matter; placing them
in grave danger of the sum of all fears. After they were saved, their sins
became a family matter; placing them at risk of temporarily losing out on
God's patronage, which is a whole different arrangement than facing your
worst nightmare.
• 1John 1:6 . . If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in
darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
The Greek word translated "fellowship" basically means to be in partnership
with someone; in other words: associating together towards a common goal.
When the sheep walk in darkness, their partnership with God gets
interrupted, but the interruption isn't fatal. In point of fact, it's more like an
intermission, viz: it's only momentary because the sheep can easily jump
right back on track and restore themselves to fellowship.
• 1John 1:9 . . If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Where John 10:9 says the sheep "shall be saved" that's not idle rhetoric;
rather, it's a divine commitment. Darkness or no darkness, the sheep will
never lose the good shepherd's protection. When people insinuate that a
sheep can be lost; they are actually casting a vote of no-confidence in the
good shepherd's compliance with his Father's expectations.
• John 6:39 . . This is the will of Him who sent me; that I shall lose none of
all that he has given me.
• John 8:29 . . I always do what pleases him.
Now the best part of all this is that before becoming the good shepherd's
sheep, God was keeping a list of their sins to be used against them at the
great white throne event depicted at Rev 20:11-15. But when they entered
the door of the sheepfold, God not only deleted the list, but didn't start a
new one.
• 2Cor 5:19 . . God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not
counting their trespasses against them
The Greek word translated "counting" is logizomai (log-id'-zom-ahee)
which means to take an inventory; i.e. an indictment.
Now supposing a lapsed sheep neglects to confess their sins in a timely
manner as per 1John 1:8-10. Are they in danger of hell's fire? No, not the
slightest, because according to Rom 4:25 Christ's resurrection granted them
an exoneration the very day they became one of his believing followers, and
from that day forward, they will never again be in danger of eternal
suffering.
• John 5:24 . . I assure you: those who listen to my message, and believe in
God who sent me, have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their
sins, but they have already passed from death into life.
So then, when the books are opened per the criminal proceedings at Rev
20:11-15, there will be no sins on the sheep's records with which to accuse
them. On the books it will appear as if they have never been anything but
100% innocent.
• Rom 8:33 . .Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one
who declares them righteous.
Now as for that "license to steal" the sheep are exhorted not take advantage
of it.
• Gal 5:13 . . For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use
liberty as an opportunity for the flesh
In other words: the Lord's sheep have been given a remarkable privilege;
but should restrain their natural urge to abuse it. (cf. Rom 6:1-13)
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