Christ declares that His people " shall never perish." Weak as they are they shall all be saved. Not one of them shall be lost and cast away : not one of them shall miss heaven. If they err, they shall be brought back ; if they fall, they shall be raised. The enemies of their souls may be strong and mighty, but their Saviour is mightier ; and none shall pluck them out of their Saviour's hands.
A promise like this deserves the closest attention. If words mean anything, it contains that great doctrine, the perseverance, or continuance in grace, of true believers. That doctrine is literally hated by worldly people. No doubt, like every other truth of Scripture, it is liable to be abused. But the words of Christ are too plain to be eva- ded. He has said it, and He will make it good, — " My sheep shall never perish."
Whatever men may please to say against this doctrine, it is one which God's children ought to hold fast, and de- fend with all their might. To all who feel within them the workings of the Holy Spirit, it is a doctrine full of encour- agement and consolation. Once inside the ark, they shall never be cast out. Once converted and joined to Christ, they shall never be cut off from His mystical body. Hypo- crites and false professors shall doubtless make shipwreck forever, unless they repent. But true " sheep " shall never be confounded. Christ has said it, and Christ cannot lie : " they shall never perish."
Would we get the benefit of this glorious promise ? Let us take care that we belong to Christ's flock. Let us hear His voice and follow Him. The man who, under a real sense of sin, flees to Christ and trusts in Him, is one of those who shall never be plucked out of Christ's hand.
Notes. John X. 19—30.
19.— [There was a division, etc.'] This is the third time that we find our Lord's words causing a division, or schism, among His hearers. Each time it occurred at Jerusalem. At chap. vii. 43,