Can You Lose Your Salvation? The Shepherd Who Never Lets Go

If you’ve ever wondered whether God is tired of your struggles, your doubts, or your repeated failures, this message aims straight at that fear with Scripture and plain speech. We lean into Romans 8:29-30 and slow down on one key phrase: “for whom he foreknew.” Dr. Timothy Mann argues that God’s foreknowledge is not God peeking down the hallway of time to see who will believe. It’s relational, covenant love, a purposeful decision to set His love on His people and shape them into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

From there, we connect the doctrine to everyday life: your assurance of salvation does not rest on how tightly you can hold on to God, but on the fact that He knows you and holds you. Philippians 1:6 anchors confidence that the God who began a good work in you will complete it. Then John 10:27-30 brings some of the strongest comfort in the Bible: Christ’s sheep hear His voice, follow Him, receive eternal life, and will never perish. We talk honestly about wandering, repentance, and why real assurance includes a life that keeps following the Shepherd.

But comfort isn’t the only note. Jesus’ warning in Matthew 7:21-23 is sobering: some will hear, “I never knew you.” We draw a clear line between knowing about Jesus and being known by Him, and we close with a direct invitation to repent, believe the gospel, and come to Christ for rest (Matthew 11:28). If this strengthened you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find solid Bible teaching on assurance, salvation, and the Good Shepherd who holds His sheep forever.

Transcript

Series Setup And Core Text

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Anchored in the grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Today on Foundations of Truth, we continue our series Safe. Understanding God's Work in us. With part two of the message. The shepherd knows his chief and safety. Here now is Dr. Timothy May.

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The Holy Spirit, through the Apostle Paul, says, For whom he foreknew. Not for what he foreknew. For whom he foreknew. Not for what he foreknew. Words have meaning, ladies and gentlemen. For whom he foreknew. He also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom he predestined, these he also called. Whom he called, these he also justified. And whom he justified, these he also glorified.

What “Foreknew” Really Means

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Now, here, foreknew, the word forenew, doesn't mean that God simply looked into the future and saw who would believe. It does not mean that. It specifically means he set his love on whom he foreknew beforehand. The term forenew is relational. It is not merely informational. It is not just intellectual, but it is a loving, purposeful relationship from him. And this is the basis for his decision in salvation. God's foreknowledge is the fountainhead whom he foreknew. God's foreknowledge is the fountainhead of salvation. It is not a passive awareness, it is an active deciding. God's knowledge of his people, the good shepherds knowing his sheep is the starting point of his saving work. He knew you. And he determined, it says in Romans 8, 29, he foreknew you. And he determined in advance to shape you into the same character of Jesus. To conform you to the image of Jesus. He called you. He justified you. And he will glorify you. In fact, it's already all done in the mind of God. Did you see that? It's past tense. I don't know about you, but I don't feel very glorified this morning. I don't. But God says, I am. It's already past

Grace That Starts Salvation

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tense. So listen to me carefully. If you are saved today, I'm talking about you're a Christian, you're a genuine follower of Jesus. It is not because you were smarter, it is not because you were better. It is not because you were better looking. It is not because you were more spiritual than others. It's because God knew you and in knowing you he pursued you. This is grace. This is grace. Jesus said he died for his sheep. He laid down his life and raised it up again for his sheep. Those whom he knew and loved before they were ever born or ever believed. And so listen, this doesn't, this he didn't, he didn't only make salvation possible, he made it personal. And what ought to happen is this ought to, you need to let this truth humble you and encourage you. Listen, your salvation did not begin with your faith. It did not begin with your faith. It began with God's love. You believed because he called. You responded because he first drew you. You are his because he first knew you. And that means you are secure. It means you are secure. If he started this work in you, not just started some generic big picture work, we know he did that. But if he started this work in you, if he started this work in you, he will finish it, according to Philippians chapter 1, verse 6. Some of y'all don't believe me. You're looking at me like, no, what about this? What about that? What about this? What about just saying what the Bible says? Amen? Philippians.

Confidence That God Finishes

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Philippians chapter 1. This wasn't on the plan. Turn over there. Philippians chapter 1, verse 6. This is good stuff. Philippians chapter 1, verse 6. Being confident of this very thing. And this isn't a I hope so. Maybe let's cross our fingers. Maybe this will all work out. No. Being confident of this very thing. That he who has begun a good work in you. By the way, who began to work? Did you begin to work? No. He who began to work somewhere arbitrarily outside you? Like way over here somewhere? No. He who began to work where? In you. In you. In you. Right? That's God working in you. He who began to work in you will complete it. Until the day of Jesus Christ. All the way. Until you see Jesus face to face. If indeed he started this work, he'll finish it. According to Philippians 1.6. If he knew you as his sheep, even before time began, before you were born, before you believed, if he knew you, then he's not going to forget you in your weaknesses. He's not going to forget you in your failures. Now. This is the beauty of the gospel. This is the beauty of the good news. Before you ever reached for God, he reached for you. Before you called on his name, he called you by name. That's what Jesus said. I call my sheep by name. And they know my voice, they hear my voice, and they what? They follow me. Before you ever loved him, he loved you. And at the cross is where Jesus died for your sins, knowing you and his love. At that moment where he died for your sins on the cross, his knowing you as his sheep, his knowing you and his love collided to secure your salvation. And if you in your life, in this time in which we're living, if you've never responded to that love, the invitation is clear. He knows you and he calls you. Don't resist. Don't delay. The shepherd laid down his life for you to belong to his flock.

Marks Of Christ’s Sheep

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Let me show you another back in back in John 10. Back in John 10. Let me show you another truth that's here in this passage. Plain as a nose on your face. If you can't see it, it's because you don't want to. If you can't see it's because you're a hard head, stiff-necked person that's too full of pride. You think you did something. The good shepherd, knowing his sheep. This is the truth. The good shepherd knowing his sheep secures and sustains us. The good shepherd, knowing his sheep, secures and sustains us. Not only does God's knowing his own lead to salvation, it also leads to security. It also leads to security. In John chapter 10, verse 27 through 30, Jesus right here makes one of the most assuring promises in all of Scripture. Look what he says. Verse 27. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them. And they follow me. Boy, that's a load right there in and of itself. Let me put it this way. You have no assurance of being God's sheep if you refuse to follow him. I don't care what you say. I don't care how many times you prayed a prayer, checked the box, been baptized. I don't care how many people said, repeat this prayer after me. If you'll just do this, you'll punch your ticket. Jesus said, My sheep, hear my voice. And they follow me. Now, we wander sometimes. Sheep wander. But he gets us back in the way and we keep following the shepherd. If you've made some kind of profession of faith and you have no interest truly in following Jesus, he's not your shepherd. According to the authority of God's word. He said, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give them eternal life. And they shall never perish. Neither shall anyone 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 my father's hand. I and my father are one. Now here's the wonder of this statement, of all that we just read. The same shepherd who knows his sheep is the one who holds them.

Why This Ministry Exists

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At Foundations of Truth, we believe the gospel still changes lives. In a world filled with confusion, fear, and false promises, people desperately need the truth of God's word. And that's why this ministry exists. If these broadcasts are strengthening your faith and encouraging your walk with Christ, would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry financially? Your gift helps keep Foundations of Truth on the air and online so that more people can hear the hope of the gospel. If you'd like to give securely, you can visit firmfoundations.org.

Doubly Held And Persevering

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I want you to know that today. And the Father's hand is wrapped around his. According to what Jesus said, you're doubly held. Secure in the grip of the triune God. And Jesus says, they shall never perish. That's not a maybe, that's not a hopefully, that's a promise. Why? Because he knows you, and you are his. He laid down his life for you, and he raised his life back up, and he, that one, holds you fast. 2 Timothy 2.19. The Bible says this. Nevertheless, the foundation of God stands, having this seal. Here's the seal. The Lord knows those who are his. That's relational covenantal language again. The Lord knows those who are his. Not just in theory, not just in theology, personally, permanently. And so when God says he knows you, it means that he's not going to forget you when you fail. Isn't that good? Because you failed a time or two already. And you're probably going to fail a time or two again. He's not going to forget you when you fail. He's not going to give up on you when you struggle in sin. He's not going to release you when the enemy comes and accuses you. His knowing you is your greatest security. That's why we believe in the perseverance of true believers, the preservation by God and persevering. True believers endure the end. We may stumble, we may fall, we may impair God's graces on our life for a period of time, but genuine believers will never finally and completely turn away from Jesus as their Savior. That's why we believe in the perseverance of genuine believers. Not because we wander, Lord knows we do. Not because we wander, but because the shepherd never loses track of his sheep. His grip doesn't slip. His love doesn't fade. His knowledge doesn't grow cold and old. Let me ask you. Are you weary in your faith? Are you struggling with sin? Are you struggling with doubt? Do you wonder this morning, legitimately so, do you wonder if God still cares about you? Or do you wonder if he's just tired of your stumbling over and over? Here's your anchor. He knows you, and he's not letting go. He's not letting go. He's not letting go. Your confidence today isn't in how well you know God. It's in the fact that he knows you and you are his. And you can rest in that. In fact, you can actually fight sin from that. And you should be. You can endure because of that. I mean, picture that shepherd on a stormy night, counting his sheep. The wind howls, the rain falls, the hills are steep and dark, but he knows his sheep by name. And he's not content with 98 or 99 out of a hundred. He knows who's missing. And he will go through the storm, he will climb the cliffs, he will search the valley until he finds the one who's wandered. That's the heart of your shepherd. That's the heart of your Savior. You are not just a number. You are not a face in the crowd. You are his, you are known, you are named, and you are secure. And that should lead us to worship with our life. It should lead us to worship him in every aspect of our life, not out of fear, but out of awe. I mean, think about it. The God who created the galaxies, the God who named the stars, knows you. Knows you. The Lord of heaven and earth holds you. The King of glory laid down his life to keep you forever. That's grace. That's assurance. That's hope is what it is. That's hope.

The Warning “I Never Knew You”

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But as comforting as it is, it also brings us to a critical moment of decision. Because not everyone is known by Christ in this saving way. He knows his sheep. But he also says that on that last day, there will be some who thought they knew him, but was never truly his. So as we come to this, the question becomes very personal. Are you known by him? Do you truly know your shepherd? Do you truly hear his voice? You follow him. Is your name written in the shepherd's book? Are you his? See, the truth of God's intimate knowledge is both a deep comfort and a sobering reality. Because Scripture teaches that while God knows everything, informationally, hypothetically, I mean, has it ever occurred to you that nothing occurs to God? He never learns anything. Scripture teaches that while God knows everything, not everyone is known by him in this saving way. Jesus gives one of the most haunting warnings in all of Scripture in Matthew chapter 7, verse 21 through 23. Matthew chapter 7, verse 21 through 23, Jesus says, Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven. But he who does the will of my Father in heaven. And then he lists all these religious things that they claim they did. And then he says, I will declare to them, I never knew you. Did that mean that God was not aware they were alive? Of course not. Does that mean that God was not intimately acquainted with every detail of their life? Of course he was. He knows all things. He's omniscient. But he says, I'm going to say to them, I never knew you. Not in the way he knows his sheep. Relationally. Intimately. As his own. And he said, I will say to them, depart from me. And by the way, he didn't say, I once knew you and now I don't know you. And then I knew you again and now I don't know you again. You don't come in and out of relationship with God. You're either in the family or you're not. You're either a sheep or you're not. By the way, you can't train a goat to be a sheep. You have to be born a sheep. Part of our problem in churches today is we're training, we're trying to train goats how to be sheep. And it don't work. You need to be born again. You need to be born a sheep. Because his sheep hear his voice and follow him. He didn't say, I knew you once and now I don't know you. No, he said, I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work lawlessness or work iniquity. That's a frightening scene. These are religious people he's talking about. They claimed to serve. They even did miracles. You do know that Almighty God is not the only source of what appears to be a miracle. Satan produces counterfeit miracles. But Jesus says, I never knew you. Not because he lacked information, but because there was no saving relationship. They never truly repented. They never yielded and followed him in saving faith. They were never his. This is not a scare tactic. It is a grace-filled warning. It's Jesus calling out to us, make sure you're mine. Don't settle for appearances. Don't rely on performance. Be known by me. Galatians chapter 4, verse 9. Interesting phrase there, the Apostle Paul uses, referencing something else, but even it's a very interesting phrase he uses. Galatians 4 9, he says, but now after you have known God, and then he says, or rather are known by God. I'll read that again. But now after you have known God, or rather known by God. That shift is crucial. Because salvation isn't ultimately about you knowing God, it's about being known by God. That's what gives you security. That's what brings eternal life.

Invitation To Repent And Rest

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So here's the invitation. Are you known by Jesus? Have you responded to his voice? Repented of your sin? Trusted him as Savior and Lord. Have you entered into a relationship with the shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep? He knows your story. He knows your failures. He knows your sins. All of them. The ones other people don't know. He knows your name. And still, he calls you. One of the most beautiful invitations in Scripture, Matthew 11, 28, he says, Come to me. All you who labor and are heavy laden, burdened, and I will give you rest. Don't just know about him. Come to him. Repent and believe the gospel. Trust in the good shepherd who gave his life so you could be with him forever. And those of you who do know him, who have heard his voice and followed and are still following, rest in his knowledge of you. Rest in him knowing you. You are not forgotten. You are not forsaken. You are not alone. You are fully known and forever held. So keep following. Keep trusting. Keep listening for his voice. And live with the joyful assurance that your name is known in heaven. What a comfort. What a comfort to know that in a world where people are often forgotten, misunderstood, discarded, you are not anonymous to God. You are not a number in a system. You are not a face in a crowd. You are his. And you are known if you're his sheep. You are known before the foundation of the world. You are known in your weakness. You're known in your wounds. You're known in your wandering. You're known in your redemption and your sanctification and your final glorification. And the one who knows you is the good shepherd, Jesus Christ, who laid down his life for the sheep. He knows your name. He's written it in his book, and he calls you by it still today. Listen, let the truth of John 10 echo in your soul today and this week. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me, and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. There's no greater joy than being known by him. And there's no greater tragedy than standing before him one day and hearing the words, I never knew you. But I don't think that has to be your story. So trust him. Trust him. Turn to him. Rest in him. Follow him. Because the good shepherd who knows his sheep saves them. And if he knows you, then you are known, loved, and saved forever.

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To God be the glory.

Support And New Book Resource

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Foundations of Truth is a listener-supported ministry in a culture filled with confusion and spiritual compromise. Your financial support helps proclaim the unchanging truth of God's word across radio, podcast, and digital platforms. If this ministry is strengthening your walk with Christ and encouraging your faith, would you consider partnering with us? You can give securely online at firm-foundations.org. And thank you.

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Before we close today, I want to tell you about a resource that I believe will be a genuine help to you. I've recently published my first book, Saved, Understanding God's Work in Us. In over 30 years of pastoral ministry, one of the questions I've encountered more than almost any other is this. How can I know that I am truly saved? It is a question that deserves a careful, biblical answer. And that is exactly what this book is designed to give. Saved, understanding God's Work in Us, walks through what the Scripture teaches about salvation, what God has done for us, what he is doing in us, and the assurance that every believer can have because of his work. If you want to understand salvation more deeply, stand on firmer ground in your faith, or be better equipped to share the gospel with someone you love, then this book was written for you. You can find it on Amazon, Barnes Noble, and Books a Million, and pretty much anywhere you buy books. Just search Saved, Understanding God's Work in Us by Dr. Timothy Mann. I pray it strengthens your faith. Thanks for being with us today. God bless you.

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If today's message has encouraged you, we invite you to visit us online at firm-foundations.org. There you can listen to additional broadcasts, learn more about the ministry, and support Foundations of Truth financially. Join us next time as Dr. Timothy Mann continues the series, Saved, Understanding God's Work in Us. Until then, may you rest in the faithfulness of the Good Shepherd who knows his sheep, calls them by name, and holds them securely forever.