Christ appears as a Shepherd to His own sheep, not to others. As soon as He shows up, His sheep recognize Him—they trust Him and are ready to follow Him. He knows them, and they know Him. There’s a mutual understanding and a constant connection between them. This is the one sure, infallible sign of being

born again and adopted by God: a sincere faith in the appointed Savior. Are you unsure if you bear this secret mark of being one of God’s children? Then don’t let another hour pass before you ask, “Search me, O God, and know my heart.”

God doesn’t play favorites with His children. To Him, a child is always a child—He won’t treat them like hired servants. Instead, they will feast on the best, and celebrate with music and dancing, just as if they had always brought joy to their Father’s

heart. When Jesus enters the heart, He gives everyone permission to be joyful in the Lord. There are no chains in the court of King Jesus. The full privileges of believers may come gradually, but they are guaranteed.