Discuss John 4 Page 6

John 17, Jesus prayed that for us, 1John 4:15,

Psalms 1:1-3, Proverbs 3:5,6, Luke 6,

Hope this is helpful

Part 2

Now lets go back to verse 1 John 4:17, "Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of JUDGEMENT: because as he is, so are we in this world."

Combine the above verse with 1 John 3:21-22, "21-Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

22-And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."

So lets go back to the verse "there is no fear in Love" and interprete it properly.

/When I have love for God and my brethern and that is shown by both obeying God's commandments and help my brethern when they are in a need, then I can assure myself that i have eternal life and there is no need to fear God in the final Judgment./

The above verse should always be served inside all the rest of the verses that are related to it. Because if it served on its own it may lead to wrong conclusions.

GBU

Part 1

Interpretation of the verse "there is no fear in love"

1 John 4:16-18

"16-And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17-Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18-There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love"

What does it mean that "one dwells in love, in God?" It means that they love both God and people, especially their brethern.

1. How is it shown that we love God? Answer, 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.". So our love for God is shown when we obey His commandments

2. How is it shown that we love our brethern? Answer, 1 John 3:16-18, "16-Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17-But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18-My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth."

3. What is preceding, love for God or love for our brethern? 1 John 4:20-21, "20-If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21-And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also"

4. What are the consequences if I hate my brethern? 1 John 3:14-15, "14-We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. he that loveth NOT his brother abideth in DEATH. 15-Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him"

A question : do you have faith , in God and in Jesus ? I'm guessing yes , so , why haven't you moved a mountain ? For many years I beat myself up over this , Matthew 17:20 , Matthew 21:21 , Mark 11:23 , John 4:21 . Obviously , I don't have even a tiny mustard grain of faith ! It's only quite recently that I realised that Jesus is using a metaphor . The mountain represents those trials and tribulations that I have in my daily life , my worries my fears my insecurities that come from paying too much attention to the things of this life . Then of course I had to rethink a few other things , once I had realised and accepted that , Jesus sometimes used metaphors , this has opened up my mind to all kinds of possibilities . Further study is required ! Guess what ? Further study is always required ! We are used to metaphors in the Bible especially in the book of Revelation but I hadn't really thought about Jesus using them , parables yes , metaphors ? Took me longer to recognise them . The Bible never stops teaching us new things , this is how it works , it opens up slowly , the more effort you put in and the more your heart and mind are open to it , the more it reveals . It doesn't matter how long we have been reading it , it doesn't matter how many times we've read it , it doesn't matter how great we think our knowledge and understanding is , there's still got good stuff in there to teach us . This is why we need to be careful about how we receive others , they may now something that we don't know yet , we may now something that they don't know yet , we must not discourage open discussion , we must not close our eyes and ears to each other . May God bless us all with open eyes , ears , minds and hearts , to receive His Word from each other with humility and patience and love .

Hi Anonymous,

So far none of the responses regarding how these falling angels reproduced makes any sense.Perhaps familiar Biblical Scripture will bring us to more sound reasoning.

John 3:6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." This logically means that flesh cannot produce spirit and Spirit cannot produce flesh, i.e. God does not give birth, create, or produce flesh. John 3:8 provides a glimpse of what spirit is, which obviously is not characteristic of the flesh. John 6:63 states, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh counts for nothing: the words that I speak unto you are spirit, and are life." So, the flesh does not matter, thus the spirit is ALL that does have meaning, and nothing else. John 4:24 says "God a Spirit: and they that worship him (Him) must worship in spirit and in truth. Nothing here indicating God is flesh. Contrarily, it is an emphatic statement, leaving no doubt. We must NOT worship in flesh and in what is NOT TRUE, i.e. untruth, lies, unreality, illusions, anything of the flesh or mind that thinks apart from Him.

Once again, I'm following a pattern from many of my previous postings, which some may begin to recognize: in reality or the Mind of God, which is Knowledge, truth cannot have an opposite. In truth and eternity and the Kingdom of God, they cannot coexist. Knowledge is stable and has no degrees or fluctuations. Only in time and in an unstable mind that perceives in a myriad of degrees, not on the same level with the Thoughts of God, maintain a faith in opposites. Is this not obvious in what we perceive as going on today in this world? Or at any time in the world's history? Or even on this website?

In lieu of this, How can Jesus literally be 100% God and !00% man (flesh)? Opposites produce strain on the mind, and God is not strain, but peace. Look at Matthew 9:16-17. Observe what opposites did to the garment and bottles.

see pg. 2

There IS fear in love; but perfect love does NOT cast out fear; because LOVE hath torment. HE that loveth IS made perfect in fear. I must choose one or the other as to which is true and eternal; from the Voice for God.

The truth is true and nothing else is true. This statement has two parts: without the first, the second has no meaning, but without the second, is the first no longer true. Truth cannot have an opposite. This can not be too often said and thought about. For if what is not true is true as well as what is true, then part of truth is false. And truth has lost its meaning. Nothing but the truth is true, and what is false is false. Truth must be true throughout, if it be true. It cannot contradict itself, nor be in parts uncertain and in others sure. What God creates has no alternative. The truth arises from what He KNOWS; not what we perceive.

Perception has a focus.It is this that gives consistency to what we see. Change but this focus, and what we behold will change accordingly. When seeing a wholly sinless world is ALL we want to see, when this is ALL we seek for in the name of true perception, are the eyes of Christ inevitably ours. What the body's eyes see/perceive is only conflict.

Much of our strange behavior is directly attributable to our definition of guilt; we've accepted the belief the guiltless are guilty. Love and guilt cannot coexist, and to accept one is to deny the other. Guilt hides Christ from our sight, for it is the denial of the blamelessness of God' children. Love creates Itself and nothing but Itself. To the "devil" purity is seen as arrogance and the acceptance of the self as sinful is perceived as holiness. TEACH ONLY LOVE.

Romans 2:11 Romans 13:10 Eph. 1:4 Eph. 5:14 Eph. 3:17-19 Eph. 4:29 Philippians 4:8 Titus 1:15 2 James 3:17-18 1 John 1:5 1 1 John 4:7-8

Peace

GOD IS

Thoughts on knowledge and perception:

pg. 1

True perception is the basis for knowledge, but knowing is the affirmation of truth and beyond all perceptions. We can be right- minded or wrong-minded, and even this is subject to degrees, clearly demonstrating that knowledge is not involved. The term "right-mindedness" is properly used as the correction for "wrong-mindedness," and applies to the state of mind that induces accurate perception. Only perception involves partial awareness. Knowledge transcends the laws governing perception, because partial knowledge is impossible. It is all one and has no separate parts. In time, we perceive. Only God is knowledge, and eternal.

From knowledge and perception respectively, two distinctive thought systems arise which are opposites in every respect. In the realm of knowledge no thoughts exist apart from God, because God and His creation share one Will. The world of perception, however, is made by the belief in opposites and separate wills, in perpetual conflict with each other and with God. What perception sees and hears appears to be real because it permits into awareness only what conforms to the wishes of the perceiver. This leads to world of illusions, a world which needs constant defense precisely BECAUSE it is not real. The Holy Spirit must perceive time, and reinterpret it into the timeless. He must work through opposites, because He must work with and for a mind that is in opposition.

The opposite of Love is fear, yet what is all encompassing cannot have an opposite. Yet we can perceive incorrectly that it does, thus believing fear is of God and not its opposite. Could we say that love is the source of the opposite of God? Hmm. 1 John 4:18 . There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. The opposite of this verse which would obviously derive from an opposing source, would be.....

see pg. 2

Hi Kalebu,

I will give my understanding, and others may differ. The tabernacle is the place to host the presence of God on earth. In Exodus 25 God gives the pattern to Moses to build the tabernacle (the tent of meeting), a sacred place to communicate with God. Later Solomon built the first temple which is also a tabernacle in the old sacrificial system.

The people would bring an animal and lay their hand on its head and pass their sin onto the sacrifice. The high priest had to go in once a year with the blood of a bull for an offering for himself and the people, but it did not take away the sins, (the conscience). This was a foreshadowing of the Messiah, Jesus the high priest to come, Heb. 9 and Heb. 10.

When Jesus the Messiah came and was baptized by John the Holy Spirit filled Jesus without measure, John 3:34. The sacred space, the communication and fellowship with God, the tabernacle the true light coming into the world, John 1:14, God was manifest in the flesh 1 Tim.3:16, who communicated directly with men.

As Jesus told the woman at the well John 4:21-24 if we accept Jesus as the Messiah who has come in the flesh, He died for our sins and was raised from the dead, and only through Him do we have access to God and only in Him the name of Jesus is salvation and when we are baptized and sealed with the Holy Spirit we become a tabernacle a place to host the presence of God through the Holy Spirit by our high priest and mediator Jesus.

This is my understanding please study for your own.

God bless,

RLW

Hello Kobe Southern,

Interestingly, after studying scripture I've noticed, GOD gave mankind dominion, on Earth. Genesis 1:26,27,28, GOD didn't take that dominion away, people have misused their powers. They/we will all give account: Revelation 1:5-8, Romans 14:12, Daniel 4:3,34, Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 18,

Jesus was here to show us how to bring His Kingdom the Kingdom of GOD on Earth, with Love, John 3:16-21, John 13:34, Romans 12:10, 1John 4:7,12, 1Peter 3:8, John 15:17, James 2:13-17, Luke 13:34,

one day all dominion will go to Christ: 1Corinthians 15:20-28, Romans 16:20,

Galatians 4:1-8, Colossians 3:21,

Matthew 20:25-28, Ephesians 1, (whole chapters) 1Peter 4, Jude 1,

Jesus gave all that believe in him, authority under heaven: from GOD ALMIGHTY: Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 6, Luke 11, Mark 3:15, Acts 4:30,31, Luke 9:2,

We all have power in the natural if even just to comfort someone else, & as we grow in faith, supernatural power in prayer, through GOD & Christ Jesus our Savior.

Hopefully these are helpful

Holy Spirit study: Good vs Evil

In scripture; we are given the guideline that "every spirit which says that Christ came in the flesh is from God; and the opposite holds true of the ones that deny it (such as was found in Gnosticism for instance). Thus states 1 John 4:2. We have the instance; however of Acts 16:17 where the KJV makes it appear that the girl states when possessed that Paul was showing THE way of salvation; apparently at least one other version makes it seem it should say A way of salvation. That may be a debate for another forum. What I am pointing out here is that it is unlkely a demon will say outright Jesus didn't come in the flesh at least right away or it would be a giveaway at least to some that it wasn't from God. The part of coming in the flesh as God in the flesh is important too; for the substitutionary atonement for men; as well as making a public spectacle of the powers of darkness ( Colossians 2:15) and destroying him who had power over death ( Heb. 2:14). Sin could no longer hold men and now; to be absent from the Body is present with the Lord ( 2 Cor. 5:8).

Let us look at temptation for a minute. Temptations can be both things which we know to be wrong even in a fallen state with whatever conscience we have but it also can be things which by themselves are neutral and/or good under the right circumstances. What occurs is that the mind finds comfort in the seen; material things and satisfying temporary wants and ultimately the sin is not trusting in God to meet needs in His timing. Men; of course can go from being hedonistic to self depricating behaviors not reliant on the Spirit of God such as seen at the end of Colossians 2. Notice that it mentions worshipping angels here; but we must remember any angel preaching a gospel contrary to the truth is "anathema" ( Gal. 1:8).

Usually people are agents of evil; but a possessed person can speak (of course convincing people they are deceased relatives or "guiding spirits."

Ian,

I also tried 6 times yesterday to post a response with no luck. Not to take away from what Chris has shared because I agree, but here is what I tried sending:

The word charity in the King James text is the word Agape in Greek. And there are different words in Greek for different kinds of love.



Over the years, the church has relegated Agape to be something special. But not that special, because we think we can produce it!



But the word charity is Agape.



Agape is the fruit of God's Spirit according to Galatians 5:22, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love." And that word love is Agape. God's Spirit produces Agape.



1 John 4:8 tells us that God is Agape. It's His nature. In fact, outside of the New Testament, the word was hardly ever used.

But God is Agape.



Agape love includes sacrifice. Agape is the concern for someone's spiritual welfare. God exhibited that toward us in that "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son."



He looked at us and said your spiritual condition needs help. If I don't send a Savior, you're going to die in your sins!

So the word charity throughout all of Chapter 13 is the word Agape. It is Agape love, or Godly love. It doesn't mean charity like we know it today.

1John 4:18,

Colossians 3:21, Colossians 3:8,

Psalms 37, Ecclesiastes 7:9, Psalms 37:8, Proverbs 15:18,

Ephesians 4:26,

Psalms 103:8,9, Psalms 145:8,

If you look up fear in search option on site it pulls up 13 pages,

Hopefully helpful

Hi, One eighty.

Jesus during his earthly life had a true physical human body. After His resurrection, He was seen with a physical body by His disciples and the women who went to the tomb. He ascended to heaven with a physical body and the angels said He would return in this same physical body. The church through the centuries has affirmed that He is in heaven in a physical body also and refuted all the ideas that came forward that denied these things, including the Gnostics, Donatists and others who denied that He came and lived in a physical body.

1 John 4:1-3

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confessed that Jesus Christcame in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this itsthe spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

Hi Verleen,

No one has ever seen God BECAUSE He is Spirit. John 4:24. You may also want to check out John 3:6. In John 3:8, Spirit is compared with the wind, which cannot be seen; one can only feel and experience the effects of the wind, as with Spirit (God).

It is my opinion, yet not all will agree, nothing except God can exist, and nothing beyond Him can truly happen. What God creates has no alternative, the truth arises from what He knows. Not from me! Therefore what God did not create can only falsely be in my own mind and NOT in His. God is is the only Cause and His effect is His Perfect Son.

Peace

GOD IS

Hi Verleen innis,

I will give my understanding,

Your first question; is there anywhere in the heavens or the earth that God cannot be, Psalm 139:7-10 Proverbs 15:3 Jeremiah 23:23-24 Hebrews 4:13 Isaiah 6:3. But is the universe, the earth, and everything on the earth a manifestation of God? NO that is Pantheism and is forbidden in the Bible as idol worship, if everything is God it can be worshiped.

His dwelling place is in heaven that is above heaven (universe) and earth, beyond and outside of the physical universe, 1 Kings 8:30 1 Kings 8:43 2 Chr. 20:6 Psalm 11:4 Daniel 2:28 Matt. 5:16 Matt. 6:9. God gave His only begotten Son to die for us, John 3:16 God by the Holy Spirit can dwell in us if we accept Jesus as our savior we are cleansed by His blood, Romans 8:9-11 1 Cor. 3:16

God can see everything and take action anywhere, Prov. 15:3 Heb. 4:13 but God is everywhere at once? He is in that he is aware of everything in the physical universe both past, present, and future, and he can turn his attention to anyone or anything at any time.

Has anyone seen God? Moses came the closest, God showed him His backside, Exodus 33:12-23. No man in the flesh can see God's face and live, John 1:18 John 4:12 1 Tim. 6:16. We will see His face after the resurrection in our immortal and incorruptible body, Rev 22:4.

How can one Know that God exists? The Bible: He has revealed things to us, and the evidence is convincing if anyone is willing to consider the evidence. History also confirms many things that were prophesied in the Bible long before they happened. The word of God is the truth, and the Holy Spirit will reveal it to those with an open mind and open heart who honestly want the truth.

This is my understanding in love may it help, search and pray for yours.

God bless,

RLW

Hi Verleen,

I don't understand your first question about where God isn't. If He's omnipresent then I suppose your answer would be nowhere. I also think of God being more some places than other places, however, like more heaven and less in hell. We as humans don't even fully comprehend how we ourselves exist or how or why our bodies operate in certain ways, so it shouldn't be a surprise that we don't fully understand God.

For your second question, did you first do a search and were you unable to find verses for this? Because I typed it in an internet search and immediately showed results in John and 1 John. Surely you aren't asking others to do things for you that you haven't tried yourself; what phrases did you try?

For your third I don't know that word nex.

Fourth, how do you know love exists if you've never seen it? God is love. 1 John 4:8. This is a metaphor and doesn't mean He is only love. Have you ever seen a painting that painted itself instead of a painter? Have you ever seen a building that built itself without a builder? Have you ever seen a design that designed itself without a designer? We exist. That is a provable fact. You exist. The earth, the animals, our bodies, DNA, laws of physics, hydrology, and all the amazing features and complexities of the world we live in show that we are designed. Because science has ever once witnessed intelligent designs that design themselves, it logically indicates we were designed by a designer. Romans 1:20 - it is evident by the creation that there is a creator.

God bless.

"The GOD", in Old Testament, Exodus 3:6, is "elohiym" same word for Genesis 1, Genesis 9,

In Genesis 7, 'and the LORD' is "Yhvh" & Genesis 6,

You can click each scripture to read the translation words & click that into deeper study of words, for each name of GOD.

1John 4, 1John 4:16 ... 'GOD is love' ... Is translated from the Greek, "theos esti agape"

Yes, I believe in both situations it was a loving GOD that protected & stopped the wickedness, cruelty, etc.notice, Genesis 6:5, Genesis 18, Genesis 18:20,21,25,32, Genesis 19:4,9,

Revelation 18:5, Exodus 22:22-27, Proverbs 21:13, Job 24:38,

Matthew 25:31-46,

Hopefully these are helpful

Thanks for that amazing reminder

Psalms 139:1-18, 1John 4:15-19, Philemon 1:7, Hebrews 6:10,

Hopefully these are encouraging

Hi Aaron.

I agree with Helene in giving you

1 John 4:4 "YE ARE OF GOD, little children, and have overcome them: because "GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN YOU", than he that is in the world.

"YE ARE OF GOD" There is your protection. You are born of God's Spirit.

You have more protection than what any man or Angels can provide!!

I would also like to add these verses.

Romans 8:31-39. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us ALL THINGS? ( Protection from the evil one included )

Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, NOR ANGELS, NOR PRINCIPALITIES, NOR POWERS, NOR THINGS PRESENT, NOR THINGS TO COME,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Not even ourselves can separate us from the love of God.

I hope this helps.

God bless.

Aaron,

The scripture below is your promise. Nothing can harm you because you are a child of God. You have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, been baptized with the Holy Spirit, you are a free man and can overcome anything with the Lord's help & direction. May God bless you.

1 John 4:4 - "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is HE that is within you, than he that is in the world."

The word in the New Testament is referred to several times as the water (probably for the word's cleansing of the heart). Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. St. John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. St. John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Sometime the reference to the water and the word are not in the same verse, but in the following verses it is the water, the word that a person becomes born again. St. 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. 1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Could also be the separation from sin symbolized by baptism, the children of Israel passing through the Red Sea, etc.

Hi Michael. It is my belief that 1 John was written to believers. Maybe as a general epistle sent to the churches in Asia Minor, sent to teach, encourage & warn them. References such as 1 John 2:1,12,13,18,28; 1 John 3:17,18; etc, show that John is addressing those who are in the faith (his little children), some of those may be immature in faith. Certainly, there were unbelievers amongst them, since a part of this epistle was to warn the believers of false teaching ( 1 John 2:18,19,26; 1 John 3:7; 1 John 4:1-3) making inroads into the Church.

In reference to 1 John 1:8-10: one aspect of gnostic teaching was that God was not entirely perfect (pure); that both good & evil existed within Him. Not only is this belief reprehensible, it also led to diminishing any sin (even the principle of sin) as of no consequence, since God remains unconcerned about it. But John stated that "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" ( 1 John 1:5): God is altogether holy/pure - no darkness or evil can be found in Him. Therefore, if it be said that "we have no sin (i.e. the principle of the existing sin nature in us), we are simply deceiving ourselves". We ought not to believe those false teachers who deny this & by extension, "that we have not sinned (i.e. experientially)" (v10). But John is reminding them that we are sinners by nature & performance, but if we recognize sin for what it is & come to God in confession of it, 'he is faithful and just to forgive us & cleanse us entirely' (v9).

Even another striking false teaching is found in 1 John 4:2,3: the denial of the deity of Christ as the gnostic (docetic) teaching was that deity could never unite with anything material. Their claim that this Jesus was just a man endowed with a special anointing; or another teaching: He didn't have a body & was just a spirit, hence He could not die on the Cross; and probably many others beliefs that would take away from the demonstration of God's Love in the sacrifice of His Son.

Conclusion New Years Resolution

5. Love: Agape-Unconditional. We can't find such a resource in our tool box in our own strength. Go ahead and try and let me know how it works for you. People have; sadly referred to God's love as "reckless"; I will leave out the particular artist that comes to mind with such language...

We are in a feckless world; and the fact that the love of many will grow cold ( Matt. 24:12) certainly extends into the professing church as we see the warning to the Ephesian church ( Rev. 2:4). It is good to be looking for love in the RIGHT places; but sadly many are obsessed with the wrong places; people and situations. In the Body of believers we are commanded to love one another( John 13:34) and of course "they shall know we are Christians by our love (next verse John 13:35). The attributes of love are found in 1 Cor. 13. Our affections need to be grounded there in the fellowship of the saints and our own relationship with the Lord. There are some like myself that I know who have abstained from television for a number of years now. I am living with my parents so watch it sometimes but it is hard to decide when to walk away. Hopefully; we can have a healthy relationship with our cell phone as well as the amount of time on social media or even watching the news. There is much to be avoided with the fear today at epidemic levels; and of course "true love casts out fear." (1 John 4:17-18). It is more than for us but for our WITNESS that we avoid having our minds filled with distractions. People will see in our eyes and countenance that we are anchored in Him as Hebrews 6:19 states. We don't need to tell people so much how committed we are they can tell; and let their love or hate for us be dictated by our chastity; and reverence of the Lord Jesus as our Savior and Master.

We are; of course "unworthy servants" ( Luke 17:7-10) along with friends of God ( John 15:15). A healthy balance is good to ponder this upcoming New Year

AMEN

Preaching to the elect: My radical approach.

Bless the Lord; o my soul and forget none of His benefits ( Psalm 103:2). In preaching to the lost world; we certainly need to declare the victory over sin; and God's love ( John 3:16). We are translated from death to life in His Dear Son ( Colossians 1:13).

In fact God IS love (1 John 4:8).

In the backdrop of the news of the "exceeding great glory" awaiting us; ( 2 Peter 1:4) we also have 2 Corinthians 4:17 which mentions our "light afflictions" before glorification. Paul himself was told how much "he would suffer for the Kingdom of God's sake" ( Acts 9:16). Peter was instructed of similar things when the Lord asked him if he loved Him 3 times in John 21:15-16.

Such messages are rarely given today.

There are several problems preventing these truths to be given in exhortation. First of all; if we don't see some sort of persecution being suffered as is promised toward ALL who are Godly in Christ Jesus as their fate ( 2 Timothy 3:2) then we are not given any example to emulate and therefore live with unrealistic expectations as to how comfortable our lives will be once we live out our faith. Of course; with anything else the fact of the matter exists that the "fear of the Lord is the beginning of understanding." ( Prov. 1:7; 9:10; Psalm 111:10 and many other passages). It follows that reverence; awe; and respect result from such an understanding as well as the discipline to be as a hardened soldier not concerned with "civilian affairs" ( 2 Timothy 2:4).

I have stated in other places how exhortation and rebuke is; in such a permissive society not considered proper etiquette. That feeds into my next point; that we aren't seeing what is Biblical discipleship in WEEDING out those tares that are there to spread false doctrines and cause dissention as well as giving challenges as "iron sharpens iron" ( Prov. 27:17). This is a problem with church elders and other leaders and of course laypersons follow their lead.

Knowledge of Good and Evil (part 3)

What is good and evil? To get a definition we must first adhere to God's standards rather than our own; while acknowledging that His ways are higher than ours. For instance; we are not commanded to fight against the whole world of wicked man and the Antichrist and False Prophet and usher in God's Kingdom. There are some Dominionists who seem to go pretty far in that direction though; acting like Christ coming in vengeance ( Isaiah 63:3) is going to somehow be preceded by a red carpet welcoming mat of a world that is subjugated to Christianity. That isn't even what Post Mil reformers are saying! In any case a mass slaughter of most of the surviving earth at the end of the Tribulation isn't something that would be classified as good for anyone but the King of Kings. No doubt; of course Antichrist will beforehand attempt to justify his wars of conquest as a "man of peace" and when that is proven to be wrong; as the only one who can fight God who will be; to put it mildly called unjust.

To the world; Psalm 2 will seem like a way to "loosen their fetters" so to speak; this will seem like the ultimate revolutionary act to do for the world against those "aliens" attempting to invade the earth!

The other side of the coin; of course is the concept of what exactly "good" is. We know that God Himself can do no wrong; and is love itself ( Job 34:12; 1 John 4:8). We know that no one does good and all are estranged from the womb ( Romans 3:12; Psalms 14:3). Christ mentions this with those who are "evil" that give good gifts to their children. ( Luke 11:13). Therefore; the action may be the same among the regenerate and unsaved; but the motivations will be different; for instance pride of self or family; or an attempt to appease God and men through behaviors. This may be why the young man wasn't disputed when he said that he obeyed certain things since a youth. ( Matthew 19:20 and elsewhere). Hidden covetousness was thus exposed.

Baptism: Acts 2:38-47, Matthew 28:18-20, these are the same baptism, Ephesians 4:5, context Ephesians 4:1-13, please read all the scriptures I've included even the scriptures surrounding the ones you're asking about. They're very important on what Jesus our Christ =(the Messiah) is saying & the Scripture is saying about Him.

Origin of Baptism: Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 3, John 1, John 3 - John 4:1,2, ; Matthew 21:25, Mark 11:30, Luke 7, Luke 20:4, Acts 13:24,25,26,

Acts 1,

Symbolism of baptism: Matthew 20:22-28, Matthew 11:10,11,12,13, Mark 10, note these scriptures in Mark 10:21,29,30,31,32,33,34,38,39,42,43,44,45, Mark 16:16, Luke 12:49-59, in context Luke 12, John 3:3,5, Romans 6, Colossians 2:12, 1Peter 3:21,

HOLY Ghost HOLY Spirit Baptism: Acts 8, Acts 10, Acts 11, Acts 19:2-7,

In one Spirit 1Corinthians 12:13,

Hopefully these are all helpful

Hello Javier. That's a good question. It is my understanding that Jesus became Jesus (i.e. given this Name) at His Birth ( Matthew 1:21). I don't believe Jesus was known as Jesus prior to His incarnation, rather, the Bible (in the NT), speaks of Him as God's Word ( John 1:1-14). As you know, God is One ( Deuteronomy 6:4); God cannot be divided up into many gods. Yet God can do something that we humans can't: He can send out His Word & He can send out His Spirit. So we don't get three gods, but the One Holy God manifesting Himself in other forms (for our sake). We can't do this; I can speak or write my thoughts for another to heed, but in the end, they are only words. And I certainly can't send out my spirit to do a work on my behalf - even if I could, I would then be spirit-less, therefore, dead. But God is wholly a Spirit-Being ( John 4:24) & can do any work & be anywhere as He Wills - something you & I cannot do as our spirits are confined to bodies of flesh.

So, at the appointed time ( Romans 5:6), God sent out His Word for His people (Israel), just as He did by the mouths of the prophets in the Old Testament days. But this time, God clothed His Word with flesh, so that Israel might not only hear from God directly to them, but also witness that this One from Heaven has come to be the supreme Sacrifice for them. Their other sacrifices were only temporary until the coming of God's Sacrifice: Himself (His Word made flesh).

Then to your question: for Jesus (the Word out of God's Being) to live as a man, suffer & die as a man, he would have had to lay aside those attributes of Divinity that could never permit Him an experience of pain & death. Philippians 2:5-8 gives a perfect explanation of how Jesus had to humble Himself, not hold onto His equality with God before men , instead became their servant. Jesus now is God's Son, & as a man with human feelings, would rightly call out, in prayer, to His Father in Heaven; & He will always be God's Son seated beside His Father.

Thanks Richard.

It seems you gave a fine description of the ministry of the Holyspirit.

TRUTH.

He is reveals. John 16:13.

He discerns. 1 Corinthians 2:14-15.

This is the work of God functioning in the inner man and displaying outwardly in believers.

" Worshipping in truth and in Spirit"

John 4:23.

Philippians 2:13.

I believe this takes denying ourselves and submission.

And when HE is present WE bares fruit.

This is practical, not a manifestation of the flesh. "Man doesn't WILL it to happen.

In fact as he matures I don't think he can keep it from happening.

Matthew 7:16-20. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

A GOOD TREE CANNOT BRING FORTH EVIL FRUIT, NEITHER CAN A CORRUPT TREE BRING FORTH GOOD FRUIT.

Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

I believe when we exhibit this spirit efficient fruit then we are able to exhibit our gift. (Christ) in us and we in him.

Ephesians 4:11-15. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

God bless.

Thank you brother for that pertinent message focussed on Truth. Just to share a little of my own experience in Pakistan on this matter of the Word of God, which is Truth, & how it can be translated & give a different meaning to another of a different language group.

In preparation to share in a Bible study with a group of believers, I spoke to my Pakistani brother, who was fluent in both Urdu & Punjabi, about certain words that I would refer to in the study. My passage was from 1 John 4:7-11. As is common practise, the speaker would first verify certain words that the translator may not be familiar with or if the meaning given is different to what the Bible teaches. I didn't refer to the Greek here, as this was unnecessary for the audience, but asked this brother how he understood & would translate the word, 'propitiation' (as in verse 10)?

He mentioned the Urdu word he would use in his translation, would be 'kaffare', as this is the word given in the Urdu Bible. I then asked what he personally understood of that word. He replied, 'when we see that word, it means 'atonement'. I asked, 'do you see any other meaning in it?' Apparently not. So, I needed to include the full meaning of propitiation, which is not just an atonement, but really an appeasement of an Holy God angered by sin & its hold on man. The brother didn't know any of this & hopefully, by using my English Bible (& by the way, the Greek also agrees to it), some believers were brought to a better knowledge of the "breadth, length, depth and height" of God's love towards us sinners.

So, in one sense, we are a different language group to those of NT days who spoke other languages, with the NT written in Koine Greek. As much as our KJV NT is properly translated from Greek, often a better appreciation can be had if we could actually read it in Greek & not rely on a translation which at best may not deliver the best meaning in English. What we have is good & profitable; the original would be better.

alex1939...Benny GBU I love your post...But lemme remind you there are 2 kinds of baptism as Jesus told the Woman at the well of 2 kinds of water...Whosoever drinks of this water shall thirst again Jacobs well the Old Covenant...water baptism ...But the water that i shall give him shall be a well of water springing up unto every lasting life...Thats H.G. BAPTISM The gift of God... John 4:21...That New Covenant in his blood...When he took the cup he said this is the New Covenant in my blood drink ye all of it...Thats y John the bap. said behold the lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world...Not water baptism but the Blood of the lamb of God...Even in the O.T. without the shedding of blood there was no remission of sins...They cd not apply water to the doorpost they cd only apply the blood to the doorposts...When i see the blood i will pass over you....ty Jesus..I kiss you my son.

....Jesus knew that all of his disciples had been water baptised but he warns them if i wash thee not you will have NO PART WITH ME...Which speaks volumes of a greater baptism in his blood...All the water in the world cd not redeem mankind from his sin nature...the curse of Adam...In adam we all die but in Christ we will all live b/c of his Blood that New Covenant...Its not our personal hygiene that defiles its our hearts that defiles us...When he washed their feet it was really a heart washing..As he said its the things that come from a mans hearts that defiles him...Not his feet...But b/c of Judas who was his old friend that ate at his table that lifted up his HEEL against Jesus he had to wash their feet... Psalms 51...The heel is part of the foot but is just symbolic of the heart..As satan had entered the heart of Judas to betray him...Thus he washed their feet...Everything was in metaphors and parables but is revealed unto babes the H.G..That which is born of the spirit is the H.G...When Jesus said behold i sent the Promise of my father upon you that was baptism of the H.G...GBU