"I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away."
John 16:1

We have been looking recently at the scope of freedom we have, and, in regards to that, how Christ's words are what frees us ("the truth will set you free"). Frees us from what? From being slaves to sin ("everyone commits a sin is a slave to sin"). If you're not tracking with me here, then go check out the previous 3 blog posts and catch up real quick. So, if we're slaves to sin, we cannot be Christ's; Jesus said that "no one can serve two masters" (Matt. 6:24); so either we're slaves to sin, and thus serving sin, or we're "slaves to righteousness" (Romans 6:18), serving the Righteous One, Jesus Christ. So Christ's word is the truth that sets us free to serve him.

Jesus later tells the disciples that it is his word that keeps them serving him. He just finished speaking to the disciples about being branches connected to himself, the Vine. Then he feeds into teaching them that the world would hate them because they are his and the world hated him. "If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you" (John 15:20). He's letting them know that, if they are truly his followers, they will have some bumps in the road, some walls to run into, and some opposition to overcome.

These are things that would make one think that it could possibly knock them off of their course towards Christ. But that's not the case. Jesus says that the things he had told them, his words, the same words that set us free from bondage to sin, are said in order to "keep you from falling." Christ didn't die with his fingers crossed. He didn't give his life up just so he could be a little more hopeful that you would come into redemption. Neither did he go to the cross with doubts as to whether to whether or not you would stay the course and continue in the way of righteousness. He spoke his words to ensure that you would not fall away.

If you are saved, you are saved. There are sheep, goats, and wolves in the Bible; they represent different people groups spiritually. The sheep are those who are Christ's. You may wander off from the flock and the Shepherd, but you can never turn yourself into a goat or a wolf; it is simply impossible. And, rest assured, Jesus promised that he, being the Good Shepherd, would leave the 99 sheep to find the one who strayed. He will come and rescue you from your foolish wandering.

One last thing: don't dare turn this promise from Christ about security in our salvation into a cheap grace that allows you to do whatever you want. If you are not living in a way like the Bible says a redeemed child of God should live, then you might not be a sheep that's wandering, you might just be a goat that happens to mingle in with the sheep at church services. Read the previous chapter in John (15), Galatians 5, Colossians 3, 1 John 1; see if you line up with what those texts say about a Christians way of living. This is not to say you are to be, or could ever be perfect, in this lifetime. But you are to strive. Let us not forget God's command to "be holy, as I am holy."