By Evang. Joachim P. Erameh
Sheep are known to be the most obedient animals on earth; hence, they were used by Jesus Christ in His illustration about the kingdom of God. Jesus Christ is the good Shepherd while the children of the kingdom are the sheep of His pasture (See Psalm 100: 3).
The Bible teaches obedience as the main attribute of the children of God. You cannot claim to be a Christian and be living in disobedience to God’s commandments. John 10:27 says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
Sheep are different from goats because they are completely obedient. Obedience is key in serving God(Deuteronomy 28: 1- 68). To be a sheep in the fold of Christ, you must be totally obedient to God’s commandments. Half obedience to God is equal to no obedience at all.
Another thing about sheep is that they trust the Shepherd to lead them in the right way. John 10:2-3 says, “But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.” The truth is that anyone who is a follower of Jesus Christ will never miss the way, whether in this world or in the one to come.
There are other sheep who are not yet in the fold. Jesus says, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd” (John 10: 16). The door is open to anyone who desires to be a follower of Christ by choice. Those who are sheep will hear His voice and follow Him.
Dear reader, are you one of those Jesus Christ refers to as my sheep in John 10: 14? Are you born again? Are you obeying God’s commandments, which if a man does, will find rest for his soul (See Ezekiel 20: 11)? If you are living in sin, repent and surrender your life to Jesus Christ before it is too late.