Pt 3 - From the Fold to the Flock

This Article is part of a multi-part Study Series called Escaping the Bondage of Religion.

Jesus Calls Israel Out from its ‘Religious Fold to His “Little Flock:

Jesus came as Israel’s “good Shepherd” and beckoned “the elect” of apostate Israelites to come out and transition from religions “fold” to His little flock (Luke 12:32) of Messianic believers.

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. …13The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling (a paid shepherd), and careth not for the sheep. 14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine…. 16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold (Gk. poinme, flock), and one shepherd.” (John 10:9-16)

I realize these words were spoken by Jesus to the nation of Israel. We of the “body of Christ” today may note the metaphor to be seen in Jesus words here above. We need to note the mistranslation in v16; fold, should be flock. We may consider this as it may apply to God’s heart desire that all men may follow His out of religion’s bonds to enjoy and appropriate all that God has provided in the giving of His dear Son Jesus at the Cross, Jesus gave His life not only for us, but also to us to be our new life and Lord.

In order to interpret this section of Scripture we need to note that the John 10 above account follows the John 9 in which we see the man born blind was healed made to see by Christ’s healing touch. Note that religion (Israel) subsequently “cast him out (Jn. 9:34). It’s clear that religion cares not for the members, but for their control. Religion cannot hold those who eventually come to “see.” John 10 then concerns Israel’s sheepfold; Some of the sheep who “hear” the Shepherd’s voice and follow Him out of the sheepfold, to become members of His “little flock” who will enter His Kingdom. “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.(Luke 12:32 (KJV) A ‘sheepfold’ was a holding pen, a place to keep sheep safe until their rightly owner (Jesus) came to claim them and take them to His self.

Today, I view religion’s denominations and groups that dominate the sheep, as the Christians sheepfolds. Many, such as myself are saved into such as sheepfold. I was saved into a Baptist sheepfold in 1968. But not long after I was seeking for more. Such people will hear the call of the Lord in their hearts and follow Him ‘out’ of the ‘fold’ that they may learn Christ as they follow Him alone as their real Shepherd. In the sheepfold the sheep were fed the very meager food as dried grasses and grains, but in joining the “flock” we just follow the Shepherd who brings us to green pastures by the living waters as we abide under the guidance and care of The Shepherd.

Life “In Christ” Vs. Living Under Religion’s Bonds

Christ Himself is versus religion. If your religious concept is dependent upon man’s ability to try to make life work successfully, this is not dependence upon Christ. Religion’s dogma is often based upon following dead precepts from the past – called tradition. Jesus Himself spoke against Israel’s tradition, saying, Matthew 15:6b…Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

God has always looked upon the hearts and not the failings of sincere men who desire to know and walk with the Him. Just look at the great men who sinned or failed God and yet it is said they “walked with God,” being men of faith – Abraham, Moses, David, etc. None can deny their love for the Lord and yet they sinned and; God didn’t cast them away. Rather they became the patriarchs of Israel. Of King David it is said in Scripture, the Lord Himself will one day occupy David’s kingly throne during the Messianic kingdom on earth. God has always looked up the hearts of men, while man looks upon the outward appearance. Jesus wanted His people to receive mercy,” not a demand of “sacrifice” (Matt. 9:13) from their religious “leaders.”

Again, Christ and life lived in Christ is diametrically opposed to the operation of religion. Genuine Christianity is found only in an intimate union with the indwelling Christ, while religion promotes outward conformance. Religion is mostly based upon observable and measurable outer works of men “to be seen of men(Matt. 23:5). Paul says, of many so the called religious leaders of his day that they desire to make a “fair show of your flesh,” (Gal 6:12). Today we see the same, leaders more concerned with your tithes and church attendance so they may count how many come to “their church.” They care not for the sheep’s needs of love and grace (John 10:9). This is so they can be considered successful.

They require that the people “look right” in what they do – how you dress, speak and do. As fruit inspectors, they measure the Christian by his outer, so-called, fruit. Religion is “man’s futile efforts to have favor with, and serve God by his own self-effort, including the keeping of religious precepts” (the author’s clarified definition). Concerning David, the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7) Sadly, many Christians stand condemned by the laws and rules spoken or implied falsely by religion as if being ‘of God.’ Yet we know and stand on this truth. “ye are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6:14b)