John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
From the very instant of Spiritual Birth, our Lord Jesus Christ, establishes a direct and personal loving relationship with each of His “sheep”. This relationship is very tender and loving; but, it is also sovereignly authoritative. His “sheep” first hear His “voice”, in their heart’s ears, when they are still “dead in trespasses and sins”; at that instant He quickens them, gives them Spiritual Life to know and love Him, He Commands and they are instantaneously “born again” (John 3:1-8). From that instant forward, His “sheep” “know his voice” (John 10:4) speaking in their heart’s ears. He gives them faith to believe and love Him, to learn of Him, and to follow Him. This voice is heard internally and understood in His sheep’s minds. It usually comes, not audibly as some human voice, but as guiding impressions of the heart that draws us to Him and causes us to strongly desire to worshipfully “follow” Him. The evidence that His “sheep” have heard His beloved “voice” is seen in their demeanor, their speech, and their behavior. It is His own “sheep” who “hear” His “voice”, not everyone in the whole world. Some “cannot hear” His “voice” because they simply are not His “sheep” (John 10:26). Those who are blessed to “hear” His “voice” experience the joy, the majesty, and the glory of His Grace.