I would like to share my thoughts on John 3:3. Like you, I also see Jesus telling Nicodemus that a man must be born from above.
This Greek word (ANOTHEN) is found 13 times in the New Testament. As Giannis mentioned, this word can have more than one meaning. Strong's translates ANOTHEN as either from above, again, from the beginning, or the top. Thayer's defines it as from above, from a higher place, from the beginning on, from the very first. If you own a Greek Interlinear Bible, you will notice that in John 3:3 where the word ANOTHEN is used, it gives us "up place" and "anew," where up place could be the same as saying from above, and anew would be equivalent to saying again, or together, born again from above.
In John 3:3 where Jesus tells Nicodemus "Except a man be born again," I also read this as Jesus telling him a person must be born from above in order to see the kingdom of God. We know, just as Nicodemus knew, that a person cannot reenter into the womb to be born again. Jesus was not referring to physical rebirth. He was referring to a Spiritual birth that comes from heaven, or a Spiritual birth from above. When we are born-again, we are born of God's Spirit. This is a Spiritual birth that can only come from above. Whether we say born again, or born from above, both refer to a Spiritual birth that comes from above.
I agree with Giannis that ANOTHEN can mean either "from above" or "from the beginning," so we have to decide which meaning to use in each of the 13 places ANOTHEN is found in the NT.
When I look at Luke 1:3 in a Greek Interlinear Bible, it translates as "from the very first," which can also read from the beginning. I see the same in Acts 26:5. Both places can be translated as "from the beginning."
However, when I take John 3:3, ANOTHEN doesn't translate as the very first or from the beginning, but rather anew (again) and up place (above). So yes, in all 13 places that ANOTHEN is found in the NT, we have to find out if it means "from above" or "from the beginning." In John 3:3, I read it as from above.
In any case, we know that Jesus was not talking about a second physical birth. He was talking about a Spiritual birth from above. A person must experience a spiritual birth to be saved. That's what it means receive Christ.
Thank you pointing out that we must receive (not accept) Christ. We hear a lot today about "accepting" the Lord but there is no place in the bible that tells us that we need to accept the Lord to be saved. To "accept" the Lord means to mentally agree with the truth about Him.
The bible does say receive Christ in John 1:12. To receive Christ means literally to receive His Spirit into our spirit to perform a spiritual birth, and we become a new person.
We become a new creation and God's Spirit is with us from that time throughout eternity. We are motivated by His Spirit, ministered to by His Spirit, protected by His Spirit, guided by His Spirit, and we are provided for by His Spirit. From that time forward, we belong to Christ!
So, being born again, there's a physical birth and then a Spiritual birth. The Spiritual birth is what it means to be born again, and that birth can only come from above!
I'm aware of that and it makes since in Nicodemus response.
Though it may mean beginning or above and Nicodemus may have understood it as beginning.
I would have to lean on what did Jesus mean.
We know Jesus didn't mean what Nicodemus understood by Jesus response in verses six. (That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.)
I've interpreted it as being born anew by the Spirit of God.
I parallels that verse with 1 John 3:9. "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
I have prayed for you that you will be healed, whether this is biological, emotional or demonic. Also, that God will bless you with His love and comfort and peace.
To clarify your concerns about the Holy Spirit: He is already in you if you have followed Romans 10:8-9. "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
Baptism does not provide salvation, nor trying to purify oneself. Only Jesus can purify us through His perfect, sinless blood. ( John 3:16). You already said that you trust in Jesus and that He alone can set you free. So with the same faith, believe the Holy Spirit is with you in this fight. He is because Jesus said so. "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things" John 14:26
I pray also that these Scriptures help you stand firm in your faith. I suggest you read them in context for yourself. Jesus will help you through this. You are loved. God bless your family and you.
In Matthew 23:25-26 "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
The only way for Israel to cleanse out the inside of the cup is to come to Christ then the outside of them may be clean also!
Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:5-6 "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
This is a spiritual heart transplant!
The stoney heart is removed and replaced with a heart of flesh.
A heart that is moved by the Holyspirit!
This is necessary for EVERYONE that seeks salvation.
There has to be an acknowledgement of brokenness, insufficiency and inability to right yourself.
This cause for repentance, (A turning to Christ) for Justification, Sanctification and then Glorification .
In John 6:35-37- Jesus says "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and HIM THAT COMETH TO ME I WILL IN NO WISE CAST OUT.
(This means he will reject no-one.)
When a person comes to one for prayer, admitting he's a sinner desiring salvation, he's on the right track!
Their heart is right and a door has opened for you to deliver the good news. (The Gospel of Christ!)
That's where we all have started as we continue to be sanctified by the Spirit that dwells in us!
What is that Gospel and how might it be presented to the broken hearted?
The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23.
One is saved by receiving Christ as our Lord and savior!
One must realize he is lost, hopeless, and condemned without Christ!
We will recieve Christ when we come to Christ in faith and put our salvation in his hands, believing in your heart that Jesus is Lord and accepting His payment for sin. (Jesus paid for our sins by taking our place on the cross)
Christ death was a sacrifice for humanity's sins, allowing believers to have a new and eternal life through faith in him
This saving faith is a gift received through God's grace, not earned by your good deeds or good works.
Christ payment on the cross was a payment for the sins for the WHOLE WORLD (that must be received by faith) from Adam until the world ends. John 3:15-18.
Hi ValleyLil111. That's a very good question. And you might remember that Jesus also referred to this Psalm when questioning the Pharisees (the religious leaders) about it; and you'll find it in Matthew 22:41-46.
So Jesus' question to them was: 'Who is the Christ (the Messiah), whose Son is He'? They obviously knew that when the expected Messiah would come, He would be born into the world in a Jewish family and would be their Savior (leading them to freedom from their enemies and rule over them righteously). But as we know, Jesus came first to free them from bondage to their greater enemy, the Devil, who kept them blind, ignorant, in sin, and estranged from the God Whom they worshiped. But even in their blindness to their sin and Who Jesus really was, they did answer Him correctly to a point: that the Christ would come from the loins of King David.
Taking them from this word of confession that the Messiah would be the son of David, Jesus then asks them another question (similar to your question): 'If the Messiah is David's son (i.e. in the lineage of David), how then could David call Him, Lord?' And here Jesus took them back to the Psalm they knew well: Psalm 110. If King David, speaking by God's Spirit calls his son 'Lord', how can he then be his son as well? He can only be one or the other: either a biological son or the Lord from Heaven, not both. Or could it be?
So Matthew 22:46 tells us that no one could give Jesus the answer to that question. Because if they were astute, yet humble enough, reason would tell them that the Son of David Whom they expected as their Messiah was also the Lord from Heaven ( John 3:13). Yes, the Divine Birth was shown to them through this Psalm: God came in the flesh through the lineage of King David, and He was standing before them - as the Son of Man and the Son of God. So King David could well say, "The LORD (God) said unto my Lord (Jesus, my Messiah)..". David could see Him in the distance but the Jews were blinded.
The same incident according to Mark. ( Mark 10 20-21)
"20And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21Then Jesus beholding him loved him, ..."
Didn't Jesus love him before him saying that he had done all that since he was young?
God loves everybody. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
But there is a special love for His children. "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not." 1 John 3:1
And even more love for those of His children who are careful to obey His commandements. "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." John 14:21
Actually it is like a father with many kids who is pleased by the one who behaves himself.
But God loves everybody.
Once we were riding with a friend and his family. And we were talking about God and salvation. Then one asked what is that God wishes more than everything? And one of the little kids said "God wants All people to be saved". We knew that it was God who talked. The thing is that God can not decide for us. The choice is in our hands.
" For I have something against you " is said practically to every church in Revelation .
And " Behold I stand at the door and knock ,if any man has ears to hear and opens the door to him will I .?."
When Peter got the revelation or perception thatv" Jesus was the Christ the Son of the living God" the Lord Himself confirmed that this was not of his own opinion but was from heaven .
Wonderful . But he made the mistake of thinking that his Hod given perception was the " whole council of God" and when the Lord began to give more light as to His coming rejection suffering and death at the hands of the pharasses it did not ' fit" with his God given understanding and so began to to say " Nay Lord " the Lord severely rebuked him for having been with one breath the mouthpiece of heaven he had become inadvertently the mouthpiece of Satan and the Lord rebuked him for doing so. Not many would stick with the message after that .But it does show the growing character of the man .
Each revelation given to the church from Luther onwards once established has in turn began to be thought of as the whole and God has had to go outside of each denomination to progress HIS purposes . The Roman church which boasts in much who has made Peter its cornerstone did not learn his lesson . And seeking to save its life has lost it compromising more and more with the world and turning from God has turned to idolatry and "the doctrines of devils ".
The knocking on the church door for there is but one church with one doior is a call to the whole church wether a person thinks thrur church is the only church or part of it . Everyone INsude is thus calked to repent .
The promise however is made only to those however "who have ears to hear and open the door ". Even as John 3:16 is a call to the whole world to repent and that promise is only to those who do and believe.
God is Holy . I think we have forgotten just how Holy God is .
GiGi and Chris have answered well. There was a transition, but the same gospel and one body of Christ-that is, the Church. Galatians 4:4 says, "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law." Jesus came first for the lost sheep of Israel and to fulfill the law and the prophets.
Jesus had to live a perfect, sinless life under the law to bring in the new everlasting covenant. As prophesied, the new covenant had to be offered to the Jews first before it was offered to the Gentiles, as seen in Romans 1:16. We see that when the time came to go to the Gentiles, as in Acts 7:54-60, they plugged their ears and killed Stephen. Philip was the first to carry the gospel to the Samaritans, as in Acts 8. Paul's conversion is detailed in Acts 9, and Peter's dream and the sending to Cornelius are in Acts 10. Salvation has always been a gift of God through faith by the grace of God. John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9,
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;"
John 15:10
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."
John 14:21
"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."
John 14:15
"If ye love me, keep my commandments."
1 John 3:22
"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
Revelation 22:14
"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
Matthew 24:35
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
Your posting on God's love brings to mind Heb 2:10 where God deemed it "fitting to crush His Son in order to bring many sons to glory". 1 John 4:16 is so comforting in that it reveals that God is love and in love He ordained to redeem sinful humans to become fitted to commune with Him in the love of the Godhead. We were ruined by sin, but, for His glory, God purposed to save us when we were dead in sin through the sacrifice of our Savior and the regenerative work of the Holy Spirit so we could be made alive in Christ and made holy and acceptable before the Father. 1 John 3:1 expresses that God has "lavished His love upon us" in such a way that we become His children. Oh, what manner of love is this! Can we even know the depths of this love?
1Peter 4:8 exhorts us to love each other because love covers a multitude of sins. The sacrifice of Jesus did just that. He did it all for love of the people the Father predestined to give the Son before all of creation. He loved the Son in this way. We are a gift to His Son and also we are a gift to the Father. We do not deserve this at all, but God deemed it a highly desirable to create us for this purpose. We are to dwell in His love and enjoy the love relationship of the Godhead forever. That is so very awesome!
God's love is a tremendous gift to us. He does all things for His glory. His God-centeredness extends outward to His creation in all He ordains and brings to fruition. We are the beneficiaries of the internal love of the Godhead. In His wisdom, He deemed that He would be most glorified in saving a people made holy and righteous by the work and sacrifice of His ONE and ONLY Son because He is the source of all life, goodness and love. In raising His Son from death to life God demonstrated that death cannot conquer His love for His Son nor for the people Jesus died for to become children of God.
These are my immediate thoughts on your postings on God's love for us. It is such a beautiful truth to grasp.
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."
Hebrews 10:16
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;"
Romans 7:12
"Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good."
1 John 3:22
"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
"And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:"
John 3:5
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
Acts 2:38
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Acts 10:47
"Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?"
Acts 22:16
"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."
Thank you. I agree, it is interesting, and some topics may never reveal the full truth. As Paul said, with milk and meat, we may not be ready to understand everything, 1 Corinthians 3:2. We share our understanding out of respect for each other, hoping to inspire prayer and study for the truth.
Can we understand Enoch being translated so he wouldn't see death? How does this fit with Romans 5:12, which says death passed upon all men because all have sinned; Romans 5:14, which states death reigned from Adam to Moses; and Hebrews 9:27, which says it is appointed unto men once to die?
Then there's Jesus saying in John 3:13, "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven." I have my thoughts, but I keep them in my head. There are things God has not revealed, and we must accept this, as in Deuteronomy 29:29.
2 Corinthians 5:9, like Enoch, teaches us that it is by faith we must live, regardless of what we see. Paul confidently states that he would rather be absent from the body and present with the Lord. When are we absent from this body? Many believe it's when this body dies, but I feel this idea is influenced by Greek philosophy about the immortal soul.
To me, Scripture, 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, says we are raised, not descending; it says we are changed, not rejoined. It says we are mortal and will put on immortality, that's something we did not have before. When we are resurrected, we put on immortality. This is our victory over death and the grave, given to us through our Lord Jesus Christ.
I agree, we are to be overcomers. Revelation 3:5, Jesus said, "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels."
Thanks for your reply. I understand many see this as comfort, similar to what you hear at a funeral when the preacher says Bob is with Jesus in heaven. Am I going to tell that loved one No, he is not? NO, but what is the actual truth?
Ecclesiastes 9:5, if we die, we know nothing. Psalms 115:17 I believe that if our spirit were alive in heaven, we would be praising the LORD. Our only hope of eternal life is in Jesus; this comes when we are resurrected, not before, 1 Corinthians 15:52-54.
Not to drag this out, I will say, if we all have an immortal spirit, there is no death and no true gift of eternal life because we already possess it. John 3:15, John 10:28, Romans 2:7, Romans 6:23, 1 John 2:25. This is our promise. The others receive death; they will perish, John 3:16, 2 Thessalonians 2:10, 2 Peter 2:12. The word perish is to destroy fully, permanent, absolute destruction. Revelation 21:8 their part, their punishment, and death will fit their sins, not burn for eternity.
Death is not a separation, as Greek philosophy puts it, which has influenced today's understanding.
It is foolish to try and work out the day of His coming .
God has " strived" with man since Caine ! But " He will not always do so . God strived with the Jews since Ishmael .
You might argue with Lot also who had to be practically forced out of Sodom .and still argued afterwards.
In the days of Noah who preached righteousness fir 125 years to his generation who neither listened or took heed to the warnings .God always sens warnings before disaster and the nearer to it the more severe the warnings .
The Jews rejected the zFather in the Old Testament . They rejected the Son in the gospels and they rejected the Holy Spirit ( but not all) in the book of acts . They have suffered the consequences of doing so ever since .
But the Holocaust might in the light of what is going to happen to the gentiles become to be seen as a great mercy . For thec" "time of the gentiles" is drawing near and given the example of the Jews have no excuse at all .
The gospel has been preached not fir 125 years but for 2000 years and the message for the hour is now for the Bridevto get herself ready . The Lord will not always strive with man . That applies on a personal level as much as it does with nations and Man overall .
" Behold I stand at the door and knock":says the Spirit to the church.
That knocking is a call to the whole church . The promise however is only given to those who " have ears to hear and porn the door" even as John 3:16 is a call to the whole world to repent but the promise is only to those who do .
"Let us make man in our image" so God made Man out of the dust of the earth .
We have in many ways forgotten that woman was made from the body of the man .
That his bride so to speak came from his body.
So too the Bride of Christ will come forth from His body .
Man is a tri part being reflecting the trinity of God a pale reflection at that of mind body and spirit .
And it can be argued that "He who made the ear can He not hear etc has also a little to do with it also .
But of the Lord Jesus Christ who as and is " the express image of the invisible God " the Word made flesh" .
1John1 must be one of the most profound verses of scripture in the whole Bible .
And we read and say it often but it is a deep well of the purest water we drink little of .
Man is imperfect an often quoted excuse for failure but true all the same . But Man was not created imperfect fir who can say God created him imperfect? Or not " very good" . But he was corruptible. For only God is incorruptable. Thus anything God created was not God and thus corruptible. Not that God willed they be corrupted for dad He not reveal His will when He said" of all the trees in the garden you may freely eat ,( that inclyded the tree if life) but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat fir in the day you eat you shall surely die" Thus God revealed His eternal will that an should love and not die .
Confirmed by Moses " I put before you life and death .choose life" ." Man shall not LIVE by bread alone.." " I have come that you might have life.." etc etc etc shall we speak of John 3:16?
What as all this to do with the trinity of God? Someone asks .
God is light and the closer we draw near to God the more zGod reveals about ourselves .We are seeking to enterthe Holy of Holies . "Be ye hol for I am Holy" True revival is a return to Holiness and while many speak of The Spirit and ' the anointing' .
Hebrews 10:38-39 reads, "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
BUT WE ARE NOT OF THEM WHO DRAW BACK UNTO PERDITION; BUT OF THEM THAT BELIEVE TO THE SAVING OF THE SOUL.
As for blind faith, the Lord never asks us for blind faith.
Faith is not a leap in the dark.
Faith rest on real knowledge, it is substance that we have faith in. "God's word!"
Faith originates from hearing the Word of God ( Romans 10:17
Hebrews 11:1reads "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
The word evidence is the Greek word "elegchos" which is a legal term meaning "evidence that is accepted for conviction.
I believe God wants a foundation under our beliefs, which is provided through supernatural signs.
True faith rests upon God's trustworthy character and His revealed Word, not on a lack of understanding or evidence.
Abraham was given covenant promises.
One of those promises is seen in
Genesis 22:18 "And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
Abraham was given other verbal promises including a Davidic Kingdom and he was promised a Son from his own bowels. (Issac)
This miraculous birth was not by the will of Abraham but by knowledge of the verbal promise and Abraham believed.
We're also Children of promise. Galatians 4:28.
We can trust and rest on God's word.
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
That WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM should not perish, but have eternal life.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that "WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM" should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:14-16.
Running out of space.
See part 2
1 John 3:22
"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
Blessings
(Part 1):
I would like to share my thoughts on John 3:3. Like you, I also see Jesus telling Nicodemus that a man must be born from above.
This Greek word (ANOTHEN) is found 13 times in the New Testament. As Giannis mentioned, this word can have more than one meaning. Strong's translates ANOTHEN as either from above, again, from the beginning, or the top. Thayer's defines it as from above, from a higher place, from the beginning on, from the very first. If you own a Greek Interlinear Bible, you will notice that in John 3:3 where the word ANOTHEN is used, it gives us "up place" and "anew," where up place could be the same as saying from above, and anew would be equivalent to saying again, or together, born again from above.
In John 3:3 where Jesus tells Nicodemus "Except a man be born again," I also read this as Jesus telling him a person must be born from above in order to see the kingdom of God. We know, just as Nicodemus knew, that a person cannot reenter into the womb to be born again. Jesus was not referring to physical rebirth. He was referring to a Spiritual birth that comes from heaven, or a Spiritual birth from above. When we are born-again, we are born of God's Spirit. This is a Spiritual birth that can only come from above. Whether we say born again, or born from above, both refer to a Spiritual birth that comes from above.
(Part 2):
I agree with Giannis that ANOTHEN can mean either "from above" or "from the beginning," so we have to decide which meaning to use in each of the 13 places ANOTHEN is found in the NT.
When I look at Luke 1:3 in a Greek Interlinear Bible, it translates as "from the very first," which can also read from the beginning. I see the same in Acts 26:5. Both places can be translated as "from the beginning."
However, when I take John 3:3, ANOTHEN doesn't translate as the very first or from the beginning, but rather anew (again) and up place (above). So yes, in all 13 places that ANOTHEN is found in the NT, we have to find out if it means "from above" or "from the beginning." In John 3:3, I read it as from above.
In any case, we know that Jesus was not talking about a second physical birth. He was talking about a Spiritual birth from above. A person must experience a spiritual birth to be saved. That's what it means receive Christ.
Thank you pointing out that we must receive (not accept) Christ. We hear a lot today about "accepting" the Lord but there is no place in the bible that tells us that we need to accept the Lord to be saved. To "accept" the Lord means to mentally agree with the truth about Him.
The bible does say receive Christ in John 1:12. To receive Christ means literally to receive His Spirit into our spirit to perform a spiritual birth, and we become a new person.
We become a new creation and God's Spirit is with us from that time throughout eternity. We are motivated by His Spirit, ministered to by His Spirit, protected by His Spirit, guided by His Spirit, and we are provided for by His Spirit. From that time forward, we belong to Christ!
So, being born again, there's a physical birth and then a Spiritual birth. The Spiritual birth is what it means to be born again, and that birth can only come from above!
Blessings!
I'm aware of that and it makes since in Nicodemus response.
Though it may mean beginning or above and Nicodemus may have understood it as beginning.
I would have to lean on what did Jesus mean.
We know Jesus didn't mean what Nicodemus understood by Jesus response in verses six. (That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.)
I've interpreted it as being born anew by the Spirit of God.
I parallels that verse with 1 John 3:9. "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
Thanks and God bless.
Great question!
No I don't mean it that way.
What I mean is in regards to our new birth.
In John 3:3 Jesus tells Nicodemus Except a man be "born again", he cannot see the kingdom of God.
In the Greek "Born again" is actually "Born from above"
We are born of God's Spirit!
This is the Holyspirit that seals and indwells the believer.
This is the light and the life that indwells the believer and by this spirit we're made alive and brings forth good fruit.
Blessings.
"If ye love me, keep my commandments."
Luke 6:46
"And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"
John 3:5
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
Matthew 24:35
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
Blessings
I have prayed for you that you will be healed, whether this is biological, emotional or demonic. Also, that God will bless you with His love and comfort and peace.
To clarify your concerns about the Holy Spirit: He is already in you if you have followed Romans 10:8-9. "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
Baptism does not provide salvation, nor trying to purify oneself. Only Jesus can purify us through His perfect, sinless blood. ( John 3:16). You already said that you trust in Jesus and that He alone can set you free. So with the same faith, believe the Holy Spirit is with you in this fight. He is because Jesus said so. "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things" John 14:26
I pray also that these Scriptures help you stand firm in your faith. I suggest you read them in context for yourself. Jesus will help you through this. You are loved. God bless your family and you.
In Matthew 23:25-26 "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
The only way for Israel to cleanse out the inside of the cup is to come to Christ then the outside of them may be clean also!
Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:5-6 "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
This is a spiritual heart transplant!
The stoney heart is removed and replaced with a heart of flesh.
A heart that is moved by the Holyspirit!
This is necessary for EVERYONE that seeks salvation.
There has to be an acknowledgement of brokenness, insufficiency and inability to right yourself.
This cause for repentance, (A turning to Christ) for Justification, Sanctification and then Glorification .
In John 6:35-37- Jesus says "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and HIM THAT COMETH TO ME I WILL IN NO WISE CAST OUT.
(This means he will reject no-one.)
When a person comes to one for prayer, admitting he's a sinner desiring salvation, he's on the right track!
Their heart is right and a door has opened for you to deliver the good news. (The Gospel of Christ!)
That's where we all have started as we continue to be sanctified by the Spirit that dwells in us!
What is that Gospel and how might it be presented to the broken hearted?
Blessings
The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23.
One is saved by receiving Christ as our Lord and savior!
One must realize he is lost, hopeless, and condemned without Christ!
We will recieve Christ when we come to Christ in faith and put our salvation in his hands, believing in your heart that Jesus is Lord and accepting His payment for sin. (Jesus paid for our sins by taking our place on the cross)
Christ death was a sacrifice for humanity's sins, allowing believers to have a new and eternal life through faith in him
This saving faith is a gift received through God's grace, not earned by your good deeds or good works.
Christ payment on the cross was a payment for the sins for the WHOLE WORLD (that must be received by faith) from Adam until the world ends. John 3:15-18.
I hope this helps.
Let me know if I answered your question.
GBU.
So Jesus' question to them was: 'Who is the Christ (the Messiah), whose Son is He'? They obviously knew that when the expected Messiah would come, He would be born into the world in a Jewish family and would be their Savior (leading them to freedom from their enemies and rule over them righteously). But as we know, Jesus came first to free them from bondage to their greater enemy, the Devil, who kept them blind, ignorant, in sin, and estranged from the God Whom they worshiped. But even in their blindness to their sin and Who Jesus really was, they did answer Him correctly to a point: that the Christ would come from the loins of King David.
Taking them from this word of confession that the Messiah would be the son of David, Jesus then asks them another question (similar to your question): 'If the Messiah is David's son (i.e. in the lineage of David), how then could David call Him, Lord?' And here Jesus took them back to the Psalm they knew well: Psalm 110. If King David, speaking by God's Spirit calls his son 'Lord', how can he then be his son as well? He can only be one or the other: either a biological son or the Lord from Heaven, not both. Or could it be?
So Matthew 22:46 tells us that no one could give Jesus the answer to that question. Because if they were astute, yet humble enough, reason would tell them that the Son of David Whom they expected as their Messiah was also the Lord from Heaven ( John 3:13). Yes, the Divine Birth was shown to them through this Psalm: God came in the flesh through the lineage of King David, and He was standing before them - as the Son of Man and the Son of God. So King David could well say, "The LORD (God) said unto my Lord (Jesus, my Messiah)..". David could see Him in the distance but the Jews were blinded.
A simple question deserves a simple answer. Yes, Jesus loves you. ( John 3:16)
The same incident according to Mark. ( Mark 10 20-21)
"20And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21Then Jesus beholding him loved him, ..."
Didn't Jesus love him before him saying that he had done all that since he was young?
God loves everybody. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
But there is a special love for His children. "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not." 1 John 3:1
And even more love for those of His children who are careful to obey His commandements. "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." John 14:21
Actually it is like a father with many kids who is pleased by the one who behaves himself.
But God loves everybody.
Once we were riding with a friend and his family. And we were talking about God and salvation. Then one asked what is that God wishes more than everything? And one of the little kids said "God wants All people to be saved". We knew that it was God who talked. The thing is that God can not decide for us. The choice is in our hands.
GBU
John 3:5
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
Blessings
And " Behold I stand at the door and knock ,if any man has ears to hear and opens the door to him will I .?."
When Peter got the revelation or perception thatv" Jesus was the Christ the Son of the living God" the Lord Himself confirmed that this was not of his own opinion but was from heaven .
Wonderful . But he made the mistake of thinking that his Hod given perception was the " whole council of God" and when the Lord began to give more light as to His coming rejection suffering and death at the hands of the pharasses it did not ' fit" with his God given understanding and so began to to say " Nay Lord " the Lord severely rebuked him for having been with one breath the mouthpiece of heaven he had become inadvertently the mouthpiece of Satan and the Lord rebuked him for doing so. Not many would stick with the message after that .But it does show the growing character of the man .
Each revelation given to the church from Luther onwards once established has in turn began to be thought of as the whole and God has had to go outside of each denomination to progress HIS purposes . The Roman church which boasts in much who has made Peter its cornerstone did not learn his lesson . And seeking to save its life has lost it compromising more and more with the world and turning from God has turned to idolatry and "the doctrines of devils ".
The knocking on the church door for there is but one church with one doior is a call to the whole church wether a person thinks thrur church is the only church or part of it . Everyone INsude is thus calked to repent .
The promise however is made only to those however "who have ears to hear and open the door ". Even as John 3:16 is a call to the whole world to repent and that promise is only to those who do and believe.
God is Holy . I think we have forgotten just how Holy God is .
1 John 3:22
"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
John 14:13 "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."
1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing."
Blessings
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and isprofitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"
John 3:34
"For he whom God hath sent speaketh the
words of God: for God giveth not the
Spirit by measure unto him."
Matthew 10:20
"For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit
of your Father which speaketh in you."
2 Timothy 2:15
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth
Matthew 10:42
"And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you,
he shall in no wise lose his reward."
Matthew 10:41
"He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward;
and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a
righteous man's reward."
GiGi and Chris have answered well. There was a transition, but the same gospel and one body of Christ-that is, the Church. Galatians 4:4 says, "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law." Jesus came first for the lost sheep of Israel and to fulfill the law and the prophets.
Jesus had to live a perfect, sinless life under the law to bring in the new everlasting covenant. As prophesied, the new covenant had to be offered to the Jews first before it was offered to the Gentiles, as seen in Romans 1:16. We see that when the time came to go to the Gentiles, as in Acts 7:54-60, they plugged their ears and killed Stephen. Philip was the first to carry the gospel to the Samaritans, as in Acts 8. Paul's conversion is detailed in Acts 9, and Peter's dream and the sending to Cornelius are in Acts 10. Salvation has always been a gift of God through faith by the grace of God. John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9,
God bless.
RLW
Exodus 20:8
"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."
Hebrews 10:16
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;"
John 15:10
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."
John 14:21
"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."
John 14:15
"If ye love me, keep my commandments."
1 John 3:22
"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
Revelation 22:14
"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
Matthew 24:35
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
Blessings
Your posting on God's love brings to mind Heb 2:10 where God deemed it "fitting to crush His Son in order to bring many sons to glory". 1 John 4:16 is so comforting in that it reveals that God is love and in love He ordained to redeem sinful humans to become fitted to commune with Him in the love of the Godhead. We were ruined by sin, but, for His glory, God purposed to save us when we were dead in sin through the sacrifice of our Savior and the regenerative work of the Holy Spirit so we could be made alive in Christ and made holy and acceptable before the Father. 1 John 3:1 expresses that God has "lavished His love upon us" in such a way that we become His children. Oh, what manner of love is this! Can we even know the depths of this love?
1Peter 4:8 exhorts us to love each other because love covers a multitude of sins. The sacrifice of Jesus did just that. He did it all for love of the people the Father predestined to give the Son before all of creation. He loved the Son in this way. We are a gift to His Son and also we are a gift to the Father. We do not deserve this at all, but God deemed it a highly desirable to create us for this purpose. We are to dwell in His love and enjoy the love relationship of the Godhead forever. That is so very awesome!
God's love is a tremendous gift to us. He does all things for His glory. His God-centeredness extends outward to His creation in all He ordains and brings to fruition. We are the beneficiaries of the internal love of the Godhead. In His wisdom, He deemed that He would be most glorified in saving a people made holy and righteous by the work and sacrifice of His ONE and ONLY Son because He is the source of all life, goodness and love. In raising His Son from death to life God demonstrated that death cannot conquer His love for His Son nor for the people Jesus died for to become children of God.
These are my immediate thoughts on your postings on God's love for us. It is such a beautiful truth to grasp.
1 John 3:22
"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
Proverbs 28:9
"He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination."
Blessings
1 John 3:22
"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
Blessings
John 15:10
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."
Hebrews 10:16
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;"
Romans 7:12
"Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good."
1 John 3:22
"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
Blessings
Matthew 3:16
"And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:"
John 3:5
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
Acts 2:38
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Acts 10:47
"Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?"
Acts 22:16
"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."
Blessings
Thank you. I agree, it is interesting, and some topics may never reveal the full truth. As Paul said, with milk and meat, we may not be ready to understand everything, 1 Corinthians 3:2. We share our understanding out of respect for each other, hoping to inspire prayer and study for the truth.
Can we understand Enoch being translated so he wouldn't see death? How does this fit with Romans 5:12, which says death passed upon all men because all have sinned; Romans 5:14, which states death reigned from Adam to Moses; and Hebrews 9:27, which says it is appointed unto men once to die?
Then there's Jesus saying in John 3:13, "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven." I have my thoughts, but I keep them in my head. There are things God has not revealed, and we must accept this, as in Deuteronomy 29:29.
2 Corinthians 5:9, like Enoch, teaches us that it is by faith we must live, regardless of what we see. Paul confidently states that he would rather be absent from the body and present with the Lord. When are we absent from this body? Many believe it's when this body dies, but I feel this idea is influenced by Greek philosophy about the immortal soul.
To me, Scripture, 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, says we are raised, not descending; it says we are changed, not rejoined. It says we are mortal and will put on immortality, that's something we did not have before. When we are resurrected, we put on immortality. This is our victory over death and the grave, given to us through our Lord Jesus Christ.
I agree, we are to be overcomers. Revelation 3:5, Jesus said, "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels."
God bless,
RLW
Thanks for your reply. I understand many see this as comfort, similar to what you hear at a funeral when the preacher says Bob is with Jesus in heaven. Am I going to tell that loved one No, he is not? NO, but what is the actual truth?
Ecclesiastes 9:5, if we die, we know nothing. Psalms 115:17 I believe that if our spirit were alive in heaven, we would be praising the LORD. Our only hope of eternal life is in Jesus; this comes when we are resurrected, not before, 1 Corinthians 15:52-54.
Not to drag this out, I will say, if we all have an immortal spirit, there is no death and no true gift of eternal life because we already possess it. John 3:15, John 10:28, Romans 2:7, Romans 6:23, 1 John 2:25. This is our promise. The others receive death; they will perish, John 3:16, 2 Thessalonians 2:10, 2 Peter 2:12. The word perish is to destroy fully, permanent, absolute destruction. Revelation 21:8 their part, their punishment, and death will fit their sins, not burn for eternity.
Death is not a separation, as Greek philosophy puts it, which has influenced today's understanding.
Thanks again, brother,
God bless,
RLW
1 John 3:22
"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
Blessings
God has " strived" with man since Caine ! But " He will not always do so . God strived with the Jews since Ishmael .
You might argue with Lot also who had to be practically forced out of Sodom .and still argued afterwards.
In the days of Noah who preached righteousness fir 125 years to his generation who neither listened or took heed to the warnings .God always sens warnings before disaster and the nearer to it the more severe the warnings .
The Jews rejected the zFather in the Old Testament . They rejected the Son in the gospels and they rejected the Holy Spirit ( but not all) in the book of acts . They have suffered the consequences of doing so ever since .
But the Holocaust might in the light of what is going to happen to the gentiles become to be seen as a great mercy . For thec" "time of the gentiles" is drawing near and given the example of the Jews have no excuse at all .
The gospel has been preached not fir 125 years but for 2000 years and the message for the hour is now for the Bridevto get herself ready . The Lord will not always strive with man . That applies on a personal level as much as it does with nations and Man overall .
" Behold I stand at the door and knock":says the Spirit to the church.
That knocking is a call to the whole church . The promise however is only given to those who " have ears to hear and porn the door" even as John 3:16 is a call to the whole world to repent but the promise is only to those who do .
"Let us make man in our image" so God made Man out of the dust of the earth .
We have in many ways forgotten that woman was made from the body of the man .
That his bride so to speak came from his body.
So too the Bride of Christ will come forth from His body .
Man is a tri part being reflecting the trinity of God a pale reflection at that of mind body and spirit .
And it can be argued that "He who made the ear can He not hear etc has also a little to do with it also .
But of the Lord Jesus Christ who as and is " the express image of the invisible God " the Word made flesh" .
1John1 must be one of the most profound verses of scripture in the whole Bible .
And we read and say it often but it is a deep well of the purest water we drink little of .
Man is imperfect an often quoted excuse for failure but true all the same . But Man was not created imperfect fir who can say God created him imperfect? Or not " very good" . But he was corruptible. For only God is incorruptable. Thus anything God created was not God and thus corruptible. Not that God willed they be corrupted for dad He not reveal His will when He said" of all the trees in the garden you may freely eat ,( that inclyded the tree if life) but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat fir in the day you eat you shall surely die" Thus God revealed His eternal will that an should love and not die .
Confirmed by Moses " I put before you life and death .choose life" ." Man shall not LIVE by bread alone.." " I have come that you might have life.." etc etc etc shall we speak of John 3:16?
What as all this to do with the trinity of God? Someone asks .
God is light and the closer we draw near to God the more zGod reveals about ourselves .We are seeking to enterthe Holy of Holies . "Be ye hol for I am Holy" True revival is a return to Holiness and while many speak of The Spirit and ' the anointing' .
We need to remind ourselves from time