Who is “in” and who is “out”? As we struggle with the doubts of our own faith and the reality that we fall short in our attempts to follow Jesus, how do we know that we are actually part of God’s “in-crowd”? How do we have any surety of our own standing or eternal fate? It is tempting to measure people (and ourselves) based on our own standards of behavior or values. But, Jesus gives us a different way to recognize his flock, and to rest confidently in our own standing with him: whoever listens to his voice. Jesus offers comfort, security, and belonging to those who are willing to trust and follow him.
