John 10:27,28 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give to them eternal life, and they shall never perish.”
In the context of this verse, Jesus was talking to a mixed group of people – some were His sheep and some were not. Because many of them present would have thought that they were God’s people – but were not, Jesus drew a clear line so that they could know who really are His (God’s) “sheep” and who are not.
The verse says that those who are His sheep hear His voice. His voice, of course, is the message He speaks. Today, it is the Word of God.
Following this thought, Jesus gave another important phrase to help identify those who belong to Him. He said: “they follow me.” There is a conjunction in between – the word “and.” They hear “and” they follow. They do not hear only.
Sadly, many professing Christians do little more than hear the Word. They might hear the Word in Church, on TV, the Internet, or radio – or read it. If they are not following Him (obeying Him and spending time with Him) in the Word and prayer – then there is a phrase in between these two clauses that they need to think about – “and I know them.”
Does the Lord Jesus really know you? When did this relationship begin? Remember that Jesus said that there were many who would do “wonderful works” (Mt. 7:22,23). But Jesus will testify to them one day: “I never knew you!” They never had a new birth.
Personal knowledge of Christ and His salvation is the bottom line. Have you really been saved at some point in your life? There is a vast difference between being a church-goer and having prayed a prayer – and being saved. Are you really a new creature in Christ; or do the old ways of your sinful life still cling to you?