It's a mystery, wrapped up in a conundrum, boxed in an enigma and tied together with a paradox that will take Occam's Razor to undo!
Do you think? As I read more and study more it becomes much simpler and clearer to me.
From before the foundation of the world, God ordained all that is, was, and will ever be. And within that action He chose some to bring to heaven with Him, through nothing in themselves, through only His good pleasure and merciful purpose to display His boundless glory for all the heavens and earth to witness.
Jesus Christ, as the Shepherd for that flock (and as God Himself, being the only payment equal to the debt) was born to die and be resurrected as payment in full for the sins of the sheep, of whom He will lose none.
And as an added bonus, God gave us Himself again in the form of the Holy Ghost, who guides us, comforts us, instructs us, and leads us steadfastly home.
All who possess Trinitarian faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is among His flock, by His mercy alone, for His glory.
And the weight of this saving faith compels man to proclaim it everywhere, so that all the sheep might hear the words of Scripture and be reassured.
"Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast array. For the battle is not yours, but God's." -- II Chronicles 20:15.
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." -- John 16:33
Seems pretty simple to me.