3 Reasons to Enter the Door

3 Reasons to Enter the Door are found in the passage of scripture titled "I Am the Good Shepherd" found in John Chapter 10 (ESV).“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me."Jesus invites us to enter by the door for it is the only way of salvation, through Himself. Upon entering salvation in Christ, He promises to be our shepherd, leading us and caring for us.

We enter the door to salvation for 3 reasons.

To Hear His Voice

Verse 3 says: “The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” By entering into relationship with Christ, we will be able to discern his voice apart from the enemy, as he calls us by name and leads us out. What a great truth that Jesus leads and cares for us enough to know our name!

To Follow Him

We enter the door so we may follow Him. No longer do we move aimlessly like sheep, but rather we walk in the footsteps of the leading Shepherd. Sheep often have a mind of their own, unless guided by the Shepherd. Thankfully, as a fallen creation in need of guidance, Jesus offers himself to us.

To Recognize His Voice

Not only do those who enter hear his voice, but Jesus goes before them and they follow him because they know his voice! Not only do we hear his voice, but it is discernible among the other competing voices. Following Him and investing in our relationship with Him allows us to recognize His voice. The voice of the enemy must flee when we know and accept the truth of His voice.

Related Post: How to Hear God’s Voice

Jesus leads us through the door, Himself, that we may hear His voice and follow Him, for we know His voice. We are able to follow for we have HEARD and KNOW His voice apart from all other voices. The good shepherd came to sacrifice for His sheep. To lay down His life that we may be known and that we may know of His great love for us.