Period.

Scripture is full of examples of Jesus going out of His way to reach people. He went into Samaria to reach a woman who had been married 5 times and was currently living with a man who was not her husband. He met with a Pharisee named Nicodemus at night and had possibly the most famous conversation of history. He went to the “ghettos,” if you will, and ministered to the sick, the demon possessed, the prostitutes, the Gentiles, and more.

This is the same Christ that is now ministering to YOU! Is it really possible for Satan to override His power? Is it possible for Satan to step into the work that Christ wants to do in your life, and to turn it into evil?

I think not.

He’s proved that He is stronger than the flesh, and He’s proved that He’s stronger than Satan.

Jesus summed it up clearly when He said:

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27-30 NIV)

If you want to be saved, Celeste, then you will. Why? Because no one can snatch you from God’s hand. If you want to be lost then you’re going to have to run kicking and screaming from God =). He’ll travel into the night to find the one sheep that’s lost. He’ll search the house looking for the 10 coins that were lost. He’ll travel to the worst places that we can imagine–even to a bloody Cross and to hell itself–just so YOU can be saved.

Satan has not power over you. Not when you’re a child of God. And not when you’re TRYING to be a child of God! So please, don’t be afraid =)

~ Josh S.

@ Truth is Freedom:

First, let me say that I really enjoyed your post. You brought out some excellent points!

In answer to your question, I need to offer a disclaimer! I do not consider myself an expert on Trinitarian theology. I think there are a lot of people on the ‘Net who could give you a better answer than me, but I’ll do my best :)

The word “one” in John 10:30 (“I and my Father are one” NASB) is the Greek word εἷς, and it means “the first cardinal numeral” (W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger and William White, Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville: T. Nelson, 1996), 2:446.)).

Of course, the one word can have many nuances of meaning, depending on the context. Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary goes on to define 5 different ways the word can be used, along with sub-meanings and corresponding Scripture references.

However, with John 10:30 I do not think it is necessary to delve into the Greek language to understand the meaning. I feel that the context of John 10:30 makes the meaning quite clear!

In John 10:24 some Jews demand to know if Jesus is the Christ [Messiah]. He answers them:

Joh 10:25-29 NASB
Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”

And then He concludes His speech with this phrase:

“I and the Father are one” (John 10:30 NASB).

The very next Scripture says that the Jews immediately picks up stones to stone Jesus with. Jesus asks them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?” The Jews respond, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.” (John 10:31-33 NASB).

So I think the context surrounding John 10:30 makes the meaning perfectly clear. Jesus claimed to be one with the Father. In other words, He claimed to be God. The Jews understood His meaning because they immediately prepared to stone Him, based on the fact that He “[made Himself] out to be God.” There issue was not with His works, but with His claim to deity.

Now, I do not know whether Jesus was claiming to be one in unity or essence with the Father, or claiming to be the Father in physical form. To be honest, it really doesn’t matter to me. (Although I do certainly believe that Jesus was fully God in human form.) I do not think that understanding *how* Jesus was God is a pre-requisite to entering Heaven! No one will get a theology test at the Pearly Gates asking us if we understand the Trinity or Oneness. I understand the need for theologians to debate these things, but I do not deal with it much on this site because I think the important thing is to understand that Jesus was and is God. Anything beyond that is outside the scope of this site :). I frankly don’t know how Jesus “emptied Himself” (Phil. 2:5-8)…what matters is that He did :)

In Christ,
Josh S.

Josh, can you please explain to me the John 10:30? Are they one physically? Or one in doing the works? Or are they in unity? answer me please.

p.s. I’m sensing some true conviction! U have taken ur time to try and prove UPCs wrong! Y try so hard if ur not convincing ur heart???