It means salvation is available at ground level to every person - no extraordinary cliff, river, or mountain stands between anyone and the door.
Les Feldick repeatedly asks where the sheepfold door was and answers that it was on ground level, not on a sheer cliff, across a raging river, or on the other side of the ocean. He applies this directly to salvation: salvation is right in front of every human being and attainable to anyone. A person does not need to work for it, pay for it, or earn it - they simply walk through the door by faith.
John 10:1 — This verse establishes the door as the only legitimate entrance into the sheepfold, contrasting it with climbing up another way.
John 10:7 — Jesus directly identifies Himself as the door of the sheep, showing that the door is a person, not an obstacle.
John 10:9 — Jesus says anyone who enters by Him will be saved, which is why the door's accessibility matters.
John 10 does not use the phrase "ground level." The passage does, however, make the door central. Jesus warns, "He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber" (John 10:1). He then says of Himself, "I am the door of the sheep" (John 10:7) and "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved" (John 10:9). The biblical text thus shows there is one legitimate entrance into the fold and that entrance is Christ Himself.
Les Feldick uses the sheepfold illustration to show how accessible salvation is. In class, he asks, "Where was the door to the sheepfold?" and answers, "On ground level." He stresses that it was not 100 feet up in the air, not down in some cave, not across a raging river, and not on the other side of the ocean. The door was where anybody could walk through it. He then applies the picture: "So is our salvation. Salvation is always right at ground level." No one has to climb a high mountain, pay a million dollars, or shape up before coming. The Holy Spirit does His work to bring a person to walk through that door by faith. Les also warns that those who climb up some other way are thieves and robbers, because the door - Jesus - is the only way. He says John 10 makes a perfect application that no one has been shut out from God's plan of salvation.
Les Feldick says the door to the sheepfold was on ground level. It was not on a sheer cliff, not 100 feet up in the air, not down in a cave, not across a raging river, and not on the other side of the ocean. He says anyone can pretty well picture a place of safety for sheep at night, and the door was where anybody could walk through it.
Because the door is at ground level, salvation is not something to attain, work for, or grasp at. Les says it is right in front of every human being. A person does not have to climb a high mountain, pay a million dollars, or shape up. The Holy Spirit is doing His work to bring people to the place where they walk through that door by faith.
Jesus said, "He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber." Les explains this in a spiritual sense: people who try to gain heaven by a way other than God's way will be cast out as thieves and robbers. There is only one way in, and Jesus is the door.
Les uses the sheepfold door to answer the objection that God is unfair. He says no one has been shut out from God's great plan of salvation. If God had put a whole trainload of requirements and stipulations on the way, then God would be unfair. But the door is at ground level, so the way is narrow yet the entrance is easy. He also teaches from Romans 1 that what may be known of God is manifest in every person, so no one lacks the opportunity to know.
God Has Manifested Knowledge to Every Person
Les teaches from Romans 1 that what may be known of God is manifest within each person, which reinforces his claim that the sheepfold door is not hidden from anyone.
The Door Is on Ground Level for Anyone to Walk Through
Les says the door to the sheepfold is at ground level, not on a cliff or across the ocean, and that salvation is right in front of every human being.
Those Who Climb Another Way Are Thieves and Robbers
Les explains that Jesus' warning about climbing up some other way is spiritual: people who seek heaven another way will be cast out as thieves and robbers.
Salvation Is at Ground Level
Les applies the ground-level door to salvation, saying no one has to climb a mountain, pay a million dollars, or shape up - the Holy Spirit brings people to walk through the door by faith.
The Way Is Narrow, but the Entrance Is Easy
Les says God is fair: He has made the way narrow but available to anybody who simply believes, and trying to come in over the top of the sheepfold makes someone a thief.
Jesus Is the Door
Les walks through John 10 and asks where the door was, affirming that Jesus' statement "I am the door" means He is the only entrance to the sheepfold.
No One Has Been Shut Out
Les says John 10 makes a perfect application that no one has been shut out from God's plan of salvation, because there is one way and it is accessible.
The Door Is the Only Way and It Is Accessible
Les stresses that Jesus is the door of the sheep and that the door was not on a cliff or across a river or ocean - it was at ground level, where anyone could enter.
John 10:1: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
This is the verse Les uses to show that there is only one legitimate way into the sheepfold.
John 10:7: Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
Jesus identifies Himself as the door, which is why the door's location matters for understanding salvation.
John 10:9: I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
This verse connects entering by the door directly with being saved.
Romans 1:20: For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Les uses this truth to show that God has made knowledge of Himself available to every person.
Les Feldick says it was at ground level - not on a sheer cliff, not across a raging river, not on the other side of the ocean, not 100 feet up in the air, and not down in a cave. It was where anybody could walk through it.
No. The phrase "ground level" is Les Feldick's descriptive application of John 10. The Bible does say Jesus is the door and that anyone who enters by Him will be saved. Les uses the ground-level picture to show that the door is accessible to everyone.
It means salvation is right in front of you. Les says no one has to climb a high mountain, pay a million dollars, or shape up. The Holy Spirit brings a person to walk through the door by faith, and the entrance is easy enough for anyone to find.
Watch the Teaching: Does God Choose Who Gets Saved? Romans 9 & Election Explained