John 10:24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. 25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
This passage of scripture brings to light a very disturbing truth about the the reasons why some people will be saved, and others lost, even though the plan of salvation is an equal opportunity effort on the part of God. The Jews here referenced are those to whom Jesus spoke over and over again, making plain to them on several occasions that He was indeed The Christ. This fact was confirmed on numerous occasions by the many miracles He did, even bringing the dead back to life. But for some unknown reason they still refused to believe. And so it was, in addressing this phenomena that Jesus explained the real reason why this was the case, and it had to do with their choice not to believe.
There are only two sets of people brought to light in the Bible, believers and unbelievers, and these are to be found in all walks of life. Some are currently Christians and others are not, but many of them will one day accept Christ when they hear His voice. When Jesus gave the reason why some of the Jews did not believe, He did not enumerate some of the reasons we often do, such as there being hypocrites in the church, or the type of pastor, or the music, or the social activities, and the host of other so-called valid reasons we often mention. Jesus said plainly that the reason for their unbelief was that they were not sheep, and that's why they could not understand what He was saying.
These disturbing verses then teach us that the acceptance of God's salvation on the part of some, and its rejection on the part of others does not really have to do with one's ability to understand, even though it is important to know what we believe. Sheep believe and follow The Master's voice even if they do not understand, for our salvation is based on faith and grace through Jesus Christ, not so much on understanding, hence the reason why Christ said those who desire to do God's bidding, will know of the doctrine. Let's read:
John 7:16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. 17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
There are a host of things Christ bids us do, of which we have no understanding whatsoever, yet true sheep do them anyway because they hear and obey The Master's voice. Take for instance the basic command given us by Christ to be baptized, as a prerequisite for entrance into His kingdom. When Peter spoke passionately on the day of Pentecost, the sheep in the audience asked him what they should do in order to be saved, to which he replied, "Repent ye therefore and be baptized", and according to the sacred record they promptly obeyed, in so much that three thousand souls were added to the church that day. Let's read:
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Now, I've been to many baptisms, and I've seen with my own two eyes people being dipped in pools and rivers and seas in obedience to the voice of Christ, but I've never actually seen any sins being washed down the drain, or come floating up to shore after the rite of baptism was administered, and so we cannot honestly say we "Understand' how it works. But it is not necessary for us to understand, what is important is for us to believe and obey, and this is the fundamental point of difference between those who are sheep and those who are not, because sheep do not wait to understand before they obey, for then their obedience will be based on intellectual ability and not on faith.
In our experiences with God, and in the study of His word we will often come across passages of scripture we do not understand, movements made by God for which there are no apparent explanations, yet we should never stumble at these things, for the determining factor at the end of the day is not so much understanding, but believing and obedience to the Master's voice. Let us therefore cultivate a ready mind and a teachable spirit, so that when God bids us do or don't, we will yield willing obedience to His every word, for it was Christ who said, "My sheep hear My voice, and they follow Me"
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!