I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

- John 10:28

God, in His Son Jesus Christ, gave you eternal life. You will NEVER perish.

How is that? Simple— you are resting in His hand, and no one will snatch from His hand.

The grace that saved you is the grace that keeps you.

Theologians call this the preservation of the saints.

The preservation of the saints is the process by which you are kept in a state of grace.

And this “keeping” is something that God accomplishes.

Your confidence in the preservation of your faith should not be in your ability to persevere.

Your confidence should rest in the power of Christ to sustain you with His grace and mercy.

Christ will bring you safely home— the good work that He started in you He will surely finish (Philippians 1:6). After all, everlasting life is just that, everlasting (1 John 2:25).

Have you ever met someone who professed to know Christ but later in life proved otherwise? What happened?

Did someone or something snatch them from God's hand? Absolutely not. The faith that fails before the finish had a flaw from the first.

They did not finish because they failed to start. They might have known Jesus, even drawing near to Jesus, but like Judas, their names were not engraved on the palm of His hands (Isa. 49:16).

This, of course, is good news for those who God has saved. God will not, cannot “un-save” you— at salvation, you were made new, you were reborn. Man cannot make himself “un-born.” Your adoption into the family of God was permanent. God will never “give you back.”

You are free to live your life free from condemnation (Romans 8:28), free from the penalty of the law.

But make no mistake, how you choose to use this freedom will define who you are.

You are not free to disobey God's law.

On the contrary, you are free to love and obey His law.

Before Christ, God's law condemned you. Now that you are born again, God's law leads and guides you into His presence. Like David, you delight and love the law of God.

Are you perfect? No. Will you sin? Yes. But God is faithful, and He will hold you in His hand. In Christ, you cannot let God down, which is good because you were never holding Him up in the first place.

He will hold you fast.

Your prayer today, “God, thank you. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for sustaining me. Thank you for leading me home.”

Press on,
Pastor Harp

Use This in Your Paper Sunday Journal

If you’re reflecting on this verse in your personalized scripture journal, consider writing about:

·       What fear feels most real to me right now?

·       Where do I struggle to trust God’s protection?

·       What would it look like to truly believe I am secure in His hands?

Writing Scripture and reflecting on God’s promises can help move truth from your mind to your heart.

If you don’t yet have a dedicated place for prayer and reflection, many find that using a personalized scripture journal helps them engage more deeply with verses like John 10:28.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does John 10:28 mean?
John 10:28 assures believers that eternal life is secure in Christ and that nothing can remove them from His protective care.

What does “no one can snatch them out of my hand” mean?
It means God’s protection is complete and not dependent on human strength. His hold is secure.

How can I trust God when I feel afraid?
Returning to Scripture, prayer, and journaling God’s promises can help realign your thoughts with truth.

Is this verse about eternal life only?
While it speaks of eternal life, it also offers present comfort and assurance of God’s constant care.