Jesus Christ the Shepherd and Guardian of Your Soul
The Apostle Peter employs this dual title for our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Pet 2:25). For anyone who doubts or even denies the doctrine of the preservation of the saints, this simple title stands in opposition to you. From predestination through to glorification, and everything in between, there is a blessed assurance given to those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:30). In other words, blessed assurance is not of ourselves; it is a gift of God, affirmed on the pages of Scripture.
Our sovereign God sits in the heavens (Ps 115:3; 135:6), but He has condescended (Phil 2:5–11), in order to reconcile His chosen people to Himself (2 Cor 5:18–20; 1 Pet 2:9). The Apostle John captured the Good Shepherd imagery, as it pertained to Jesus (Jn 10). Peter and the writer of Hebrews upgraded the title to Great Shepherd of the Sheep (Heb 13:20) and Chief Shepherd (1 Pet 5:4).
The imagery is filled with nuances, but the plain point of the matter is Jesus’ capable care of His flock of people. The flock of God in the world is vulnerable, but Jesus has already demonstrated His love for His own, by laying down His life for them (Jn 10:11, 15). The extent to which Jesus willingly sacrificed Himself is profound. He Himself taught that there was no greater love than for one to lay down His life for others (Jn 15:20).
Jesus protected His disciples during His earthly ministry, and then He sent His Spirit to be with them and in them (Jn 14:26; 15:26). Bearing witness of Jesus Christ in one’s death is preferred, by those who bear witness of Him with their lives.
To follow in His steps (1 Pet 2:21), taking up one’s cross, means we join in His sufferings (Col 1:24). Sojourning with the hope of glory within (Col 1:27), however, His burden is light (Mt 11:30). We lose much of the world, but the weight of eternal glory sufficiently offsets (2 Cor 4:17).
There is the plague of doubt in the matter of eternal salvation, but the error of men is looking at themselves instead of the promises of the Word of God (Rom 15:8). Are you the shepherd of your own soul? Are you the guardian of your eternal soul? Let us hope not.
If Jesus Christ is the Guardian of your soul, then you are in good stead. He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion (Phil 1:6). Nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:35–39). Jesus Himself assures us that nothing can pluck us from His hand or from His Father’s hand (Jn 10:28–29). He has promised to prepare a place for us (Jn 14:2–3), and return for us, at His second advent, on the last day.
Our souls are created by God, and at conception, the elect are in His care, though the soul is spiritually dead (Eph 2:1). This is true for the soul at some point in time, when those appointed to eternal life believe in Jesus (Acts 13:48). It is also true, body and soul, at the resurrection to life on the Day of the Lord (Jn 5:28–29), when He gathers the elect from the four winds (Mt 24:31; Mk 13:27).
If faith is required, God will grant it (Phil 1:29). If grace is the catalyst, God will extend it (Eph 2:8–9). In fact, there is nothing deficient about the secure salvation belonging to the Lord (Ps 3:8; Jon 2:9; Rev 19:1). The elect were redeemed (Eph 1:7), and the redeemed will be regenerated (1 Pet 1:3). In this, God is faithful and true.
A mere possibility of salvation is a false gospel preached by most, but a sure salvation presents a sure Savior (Titus 2:13; 3:5). The believer believes the Bible because the Holy Spirit measures out an allotment of faith to him (Rom 12:3). Thus, the Christian puts no confidence in the flesh because the flesh wars with the Spirit (Gal 5:17). Sinful flesh has no capacity for faith (Jn 10:26; 1 Cor 2:14), and sinful flesh has no access to God (Eph 2:12).
It is the soul which says, “I know whom I have believed,” and the confidence is in Him, who is able to keep the soul for the day of glory (2 Tim 1:12). Sanctification by the Spirit (2 Thess 2:13; 1 Pet 1:2) includes this preservation because the promise is to never leave, nor forsake the one who has been baptized and indwelt (Mt 3:11; Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11; Jas 4:5).
Nearing death, the Apostle Paul wrote with confidence that he would soon be with the Lord (Phil 1:23). Jesus gives rest to the weary soul in this life (Mt 11:28) and to the dying soul, who is really just a dying body (2 Cor 5:1–5). The soul is being renewed daily by the Spirit and the Word (Jn 17:17; Rom 12:2). The soul separated from the body of sin and death returns to the Lord who gave it.
The souls of the saints will be with the Lord Jesus at His glorious appearing along with His angels (Mt 25:31; 1 Thess 3:13). This again is a confident Word, regarding the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls. It is imperative for Christians to rest in Him (Ps 116:7), not themselves, nor their experiences, for better or worse.
Our hope of salvation is Jesus Christ, alone (Ps 119:166; 1 Thess 5:8). There is no other, and there is nothing that should interfere with truth in Him, to accomplish what concerns us (Ps 57:2; 138:8). God is willing and He is able to do what is required to keep us in His care because He does care for us (1 Pet 5:7).
Friend, does this salvation find you in the care of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ? Is your trust in Him alone to guard your heart and mind, until the day of His resurrection of His church to life?
God, through the Apostle Peter, has given His people two titles to be ascribed to Jesus Christ. Our hope and trust is in His finished work on the cross. He is able to finish what He started, and that includes the preservation of His saints.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
December 22, 2022
