SOMETIMES young Christians, who were bright and happy when they were first converted, begin to have fears as to whether they will be lost after all.
This generally happens when they find out the evil in their own hearts. They think that they are worse than they were before, and Satan is only too ready to raise doubts and fears in their minds.
I think it would be well for all such to remember that though they are only just beginning to find out how much evil there is in their hearts, God knew all about it long ago, before He gave His Son to die for them.
The Lord Jesus Himself says in John 10:2828And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:28) that no one shall pluck His sheep out of His hand; and in v. 29 we read that the Father also is holding them, and no one is able to pluck them out of His hand. “They shall never perish.”
Could you possibly be more secure? Kept by both the Father and the Son, and assured by Christ Himself that His sheep shall never be lost. If our salvation depended on our holding on to the Shepherd, there might, indeed, be reason to doubt; but when the Shepherd has once found the lost sheep He will never let it go, but will take it safely all the way home. (Luke 15:5, 65And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. (Luke 15:5‑6).)
We may and do learn what we are; but He knew all and bore the judgment on account of all, and He it is who holds us in the everlasting grasp of almighty love.
ML 02/18/1906