John 10:28, “And I give them eternal life, and they shall surely not perish into the age, and no one will snatch them from My hand.” (Own Greek translation.)
Let these words from Christ, therefore, settle every works righteousness debate. Where is assurance of salvation? In ourselves (works) or Christ? Here, Christ gives the final answer: “In Me!” Thus, a murderer can sit in prison paying for his sin and crime, come before the Lord in utter despair over his sin, beg for Christ’s mercy as his Lord and Saviour, and be received into Christ’s arms and sing with the multitude in Heaven. That is our gracious God. If we doubt such a sinner’s forgiveness of sins, we doubt the power of God and make ourselves into gods. If you are His, you are His forever. The Good Shepherd does not let go of His sheep. Guarantee of your salvation is rested on Christ alone, not the weakness of your flesh.
The Lutheran Column 