John
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Romans 8:14, Philippians 2:15, 1John 3:2,
Luke 8:48, 1Peter 3:6, Acts 2:17,
Hopefully these are helpful
Luke 23:43
Acts 1:25; John 17:12 Judas Iscariot is the son of perdition. He went to his own place. Revelation 17:8
Isaiah 5:14
Romans 16:25-27
John 3:16 I pray many will be saved. Keep the Faith, trust only and believe in the blood of Jesus Christ. Nobody can save themselves. We give glory to God for He gave us a free gift, a gift of Grace, the grace of God that is available to all.
Hope this helps.
I pray this disagreement doesn't offend anyone, That's not my intentions. I will start with verse 9 through 11 to focus on his humanity.
9) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels FOR THE SUFFERING OF DEATH, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
10) For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, IN BRINGING MANY SONS UNTO GLORY, TO MAKE THE CAPTAIN OF THEIR SALVATION PERFECT THROUGH SUFFERINGS.
( Verse 10. The CAPTAIN of our salvation means he's the author and finisher of our salvation. the suffering is the death on the cross for all humanity as seen here in Hebrews 12:2.)
11) For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified ARE ALL OF ONE: FOR WHICH CAUSE HE IS NOT ASHAMED TO CALL THEM BRETHREN,
Jesus didn't take on our humanity so he can be tempted and resist sin, he took on our humanity to redeem us as our Kinsman redeemer by way of the cross. See Revelation 5:2-9.
That brings us to Verses 17-18.
"Wherefore in all things IT BELOVED HIM TO BE MADE LIKE UNTO HIS BRETHREN, THAT HE MIGHT BE A MERCIFUL AND FAITHFUL HIGH PRIEST in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
FOR IN THAT HE HIMSELF HATH SUFFERED BEING TEMPTED, HE IS ABLE TO SUCCOUR THEM THAT ARE TEMPTED."
First let's deal with the word tempted.
Greek:
Transliteration: peiraz
Pronunciation: pi-rad'-zo
Definition: From G3984; TO TEST (objectively) that is endeavor 6
scrutinize entice discipline: - assay examine go about prove. .
Jesus entire life was a testing!!
Jesus was PROVOKED just like we are, that doesn't mean he was tempted to sin as if he had to withstrain him self from sinning.
We have the opportunity to do wrong as well as Christ. THE OPPORTUNITY IS THE TEST!
We have the opportunity to do wrong AND WE WANT TO DO IT. Christ didn't!
Because God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him! John 3:34.
God bless.
I don't think so.
We're not sinners because we sinned.
We sin because we're sinners.
The sin nature don't enter you once you sin.
Psalms 51:5. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Our sinful nature comes from the natural man. We inherited that nature NOT because we sinned! WE INHERITED THE NATURE TO SIN!
And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 1 Corinthians 15:45-47.
Jesus was a life giving spirit from heaven.
Adam was made a living soul out of the dust of the ground.
If Adam would have never sinned he couldn't have given everlasting life.
Romans 5:14. Nevertheless DEATH REIGNED FROM ADAM TO MOSES, EVEN OVER THEM THAT HAD NOT SINNED AFTER THE SIMILITUDE OF ADAM'S TRANSGRESSION, who is the figure of him that was to come.
( WHO IS THE FIGURE OF HIM THAT WAS TO COME.) Jesus was to come into the world even before Adam sinned. Adam wasn't capable of living a sinless life.
When was Jesus the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the whole world? When he died on the cross?
BEFORE THE CROSS!
1 Peter 1:19-20. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of A LAMB WITHOUT BLEMISH AND WITHOUT SPOT:
Who verily WAS FOREORDAINED BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD,....( BUT WAS MANIFEST IN THESE LAST TIMES FOR YOU,)
Matthew 4:1 THEN WAS JESUS LED UP OF THE SPIRIT into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
Do you notice Satan didn't hunt down Jesus? Jesus was led by the Spirit to Satan. This was to prove he was the son of God and ONLY the son of God cannot sin because he is God. Here Satan is just used as an instrument.
1 John 3:9.
God bless.
But interesting that you quoted 1 John 4:3, "And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world." This is the wonderful Truth from John, about the spirits that influence men what to believe & proclaim (as the false prophets of verse 1 did). That spirit that does not confess that Christ has come in the flesh is the spirit of Satan (antichrist).
Some have glossed over these verses, but in the past, I felt compelled to consider, 'surely a spirit that does not confess Christ coming in the flesh, must be a different spirit that believes that Jesus was a real Person?' The spirits themselves believe Jesus was real, the Jews & Romans believed, even the Gnostics (about whom John was warning the believers), believed - there was no denial that there was a Man going around by the Name of Jesus & saying & doing all that He did. But these same Gnostics & others I've mentioned will never confess one thing. And that is, that Jesus came out from God to become a man. Because gnostics believe that Divinity cannot unite with the material, especially sinful flesh, therefore the incarnation is an impossibility. And so John issued the warning to try (test) the spirits (that by which these men spoke); that there is a spirit that denies that Jesus came down from Heaven into a body of flesh. John 3:13; John 17:5.
In the discourse to Nicodemus; the Godhead is once again refered to as "we" in v. 11. The famous John 3:16 has been used to raise an apparent contradiction. The "whosoever" has been considered the elect according to some. We should also keep in mind that we ALL were a part of the world before we were saved. Therefore; that shows our limit to the scope of time and space to the specifics of when we went from death to life. We should also bear in mind that there is a process involved where the Spirit convicts of sin; righteousness and judgment to come ( John 16:8). Repentance is also said to be something granted by God ( Acts 5:31; etal). Our own consciousness even in a darkened state can recognize consequences for sin and fear judgment
but until we see the light and undergo a heart change we won't want to be reproved (v. 20). (also see Ezekiel 11:19). After we are saved; there must be good works and continuing sanctification as v. 21 alludes to. Therefore; there is transformation occurring before we understand and make a verbal confession; and it continues throughout our lives.
The last part of the passage from verse 22 on show Johns discoursse; once again highlighting election. Verse 27 states that a man cannot recieve anything unless it be "given him from heaven". This theme is repeated in v. 31 and 32 that with earthly uderstanding no man receiveth his testimony (v. 32). Verse 33 seems to show to some extent how a believer is sealed as is shown in Ephesians 1:13-14 (I could use further clarification of that). Nonetheless; v. 36 again shows that someone who believes "on the Son" has everlasting life; and the contrary for those who don't including God's wrath.
The end of this passage is given more detail in other scriptures; including John. We must not only believe; but do as He says; for those who love Him will keep His commandments ( John 14:15). This makes love for one another paramount ( John 13:34)
11" Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord".
More than half way through my journey, I have looked back as a child until now, and have seen the presence of the holy spirit . I would say this is the wind Jesus speaks of, when He is talking to Nicodemus. The wind of the holy spirit that even guided the Indians, who may have never been Baptized ,but knew of a Spirit!
Soon they would learn where this Spirit came from, and where it would lead!
The chief, the master, would soon know these things! Hearing the words from Christ himself, revealed through John 3;16.
Jesus being from all eternity, with the Father in the garden, promising to send Him ,this same spirit we now speak of!
"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." Repent and be Baptized
Is the Gospel necessary? Absolutely!
However some that feast with us don't think so.
Passages in Romans 10 shows great importance in preaching it.
vs 8) 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;
vs 14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and HOW SHALL THEY HEAR WITHOUT A PREACHER?
vs 15) AND HOW SHALL THEY PREACH, EXCEPT THEY BE SENT? as it is written, HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THEM THAT PREACH THE GOSPEL OF PEACE, AND BRING GLAD TIDINGS OF GOOD THINGS!
Jesus said Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15.
This same group false theology suggests there's no hell or Satan and everyone goes to heaven so even the word salvation is pointless because there is nothing to be saved from. So the death of Christ doesn't display the love of God.
John 3:16 would have to be an error!
The wide gate in Matthew 7:13 doesn't exist.
There's no consequences to sin, no reward for righteous living by the Spirit.
Those who denied Christ, Hate God, murderer ect... And those who love God will sit down with judas, Paul, Peter, Putin, Hitler and sit down at the marriage supper. So our preaching is in vain.
So why do they earnestly stand in our way? They pretend to be beside you when talking about the trinity but when you mention Faith, Believe, ect.. in regards to salvation they come unglued! Why do they bother if whether you believe or not according to them it doesn't matter? That they won't answer.
They stand in the way when it shouldn't matter to them unless the spirit in them is to deceive!
And This doctrine "Salvation by works is by that same Spirit. As seen in Galatians 3:1 and many other verses.
But if you asked, 'is there One called Jesus Christ, who came to Earth from Heaven ( John 3:13; John 6:38), from within the Person of God ( John 1:1-14), to become Man, died, arose from the grave, & now ascended to the right Hand of the Father, ever living as the Word of God made flesh (where Divinity has merged with Humanity) making intercession for His people, & one day returning to Earth in the same state that He left this Earth (as the Word of God: Revelation 19:13)?', then I would say, YES. Any other Jesus is, from my understanding of the Scriptures, to be another Jesus - One assumed maybe from incorrect teaching and/or a bias against the Plan of God to secure our salvation.
If I avoided certain pertinent Scriptures revealing the full Nature of Christ, I could well agree with you. And some of us have shared those Scriptures, but receiving no exposition.
Adam now had a sin consciousnes. He also lost his Dominion on the earth. Satan took a serpents body to deceive Eve into doing it.
Humanity waited until Jesus was born in Bethlehem to Mary and Joseph. Jesus set aside his powers to be born HUMAN; all God and all human.
The reason being that EARTH WAS CREATED FOR HUMANS.
Skip up to the cross Jesus was crucified on, at no time did Satan think he'd not win. He did not know the Godhead's plan ( Romans 1:20). As a human, being crucified for the sins of all mankind that has or ever will live__Jesus fulfilled a prophesy made in Genesis 3:15. Jesus's death crushed Satans head (power). Satan was shocked when Jesus was resurrected on that 3rd day.
His only way to get back at Jesus is by hurting people Jesus died for; all people. If we are born again, as in John 3:5-7 and John 3:18
Jesus paid it all. All we have to do is believe it, accept it and pray for salvation.
There's a link out on the page you land on where you clicked a link to come in here. Find the one that says, Become A Believer. It has the prayer.
God bless you both. Streetpreacher
How can you have everlasting life? John 3:3 ...Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
How can you be born again?
That if thou shalt 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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.- Romans 10:9-13
The time of salvation is NOW. Please accept Jesus Christ as your Savior before it's too late. I'm going to put you on my prayer list. But your salvation--whether you act on Jesus Christ as your Savior doesn't hinge on my prayers. Your salvation from sin hinges on your decision to accept Him as your Lord and Savior. God bless you.
'Firstborn' (Gk. prototokos, first to give birth to, firstborn) as seen in Romans 8:29, "the firstborn among many brethren", where Paul applies the meaning to Jesus being the first to bring humanity & divinity into one (i.e. Jesus the Word (God) united with humanity (flesh); and to us who are saved (i.e. humanity (flesh) united with the Spirit (God)).
And also in Colossians 1:15, "the firstborn of every creature", referring to Christ's highest rank & full rights bestowed upon Him by the Father over all creation; & that creation came into being by His Word Jesus & through Him, being held together by the Word of His Power (vv16,17 & Hebrews 1:3).
'Only begotten' (Gk. monogenes, unique, one of a kind) as seen in John 3:16, Hebrews 5:5, 1 John 4:9, etc. Could we say that Jesus was a created Being by God, as one would describe a creation of a baby in the womb or a potter creating a vessel from a lump of clay? The use of 'monogenes' strongly suggests that Jesus wasn't created, simply because He already existed within God's Person as the Word of God. But God did something not done before - a unique birth: that which always existed came into the World in another form - Mary's womb was merely the delivery point for prophecy's fulfilment & for Jesus' identification with His people. God could just as well have zapped His Word into flesh & onto Earth, but God had His Own special Plan.
One could use the word 'created' in this respect as you've done, but that might then bring on the thought that Jesus was a created Being without an eternal existence. I feel 'monogenes' satisfies the uniqueness of Jesus' pre- & post-incarnation Presence.
John 1:1-2
John 1:14
John 3:16
I think most of us agree God is Spirit. John 4:24. I can't help but question though, how can Spirit become flesh (man). The Bible clearly indicates Spirit and flesh are opposites. John 3:6. Should we not seriously consider that Mark 3:23-26 establishes a principle in truth that also applies to God? Thus, if God rises up against Himself, and be divided, He cannot stand, but hath an end. This would reflect "dualism", which is "Gnostic" in nature.
Please start with : James 1:5,
It's amazing over many years of reading, rereading & studying, GOD can teach us something new every time. Hopefully you'll continue to read it several times.
Son's of GOD = Genesis 6:2, notice: Genesis 4:26, = John 1:12, Romans 8:14, Philippians 2:15, 1John 3:1, 2
Job 1:6, Job 2:1, = notice the vrs. right before, Job 1:5, & right before, Job 2, Job 1:20-22, Revelation 12:10,
Hopefully these are helpful in your study
I don't believe we are very far off on our belief about water baptism and Spirit baptism. I do agree that water baptism is symbolic, and baptism of the Holy Spirit not symbolic. Water baptism just symbolizes an action (Salvation) that has already taken place. I'm not sure if you were trying to explain that to me, but I am in agreement with that part.
My reasoning for believing Colossians 2:12 and Romans 6:3-7 are referring to Spirit baptism, not water, would take much more space to explain that what we have here. If you need me to explain, and you are willing to read a much longer post, I can do so. Again, not to debate or change your mind, but to give my understanding.
You posted John 3:3, but I'm sure you meant Luke 3:3. This is where we might differ. First of all, John's baptism is not believer's baptism. It has nothing to do with Christian baptism. This was for the Jews. It was a requirement for them. Luke Chapter 7 tells us that it was a requirement that they go through the baptism of John in order to express repentance and they are ready to surrender to the Messiah.
Luke Chapter 7 tells us that it was God's council that all the Pharisees be baptized by John in order to receive Messiah. And he says they rejected the baptism of John. So it was a requirement that they do both. They had to go through John's baptism and be born of the Spirit. That's for the Jews only.
But John's baptism is not Christian baptism. It was a baptism of repentance for the Jewish people only, and there's a reason for that. Every year, the Jewish people would go down to the Sea of Galilee or to the Jordan River and be baptized. It is called the MIKVAH or MIKVEH. For the believer, when we get baptized in what we call believer's baptism, (water involved), it is supposed to represent and testify to the inward work of Christ of salvation. It is after we are saved.
Well, it looks like I'll need a little more space anyway. I'll respond to your last part in a separate post.
Thanks for your reply.
As far as the verses Colossians 2:12 and Romans 6:3-7 are concerned, why do you think it'a about Spirit's baptism? Spirit's baptism is not something symbolic for something else as bapt. in water is. One doesn't do anything, simply God sends His Spirit to dwell in him. There is nothing there to symbolize for, I think. And certainly one receiving the HS can not in any case be taken as the burial and ressurection of Jesus.
As you said baptize in greek means to dip, immerse. The Jews practised many baptisms, hands, pots everything. Why? It means to dip them in water just to clean them. That is why John's baptism was for repemting and spiritual cleansing. John 3:3 "And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;" Please pay attention to that "for the remission of sins". If John's baptism was for the remission of sins, how do some of us believe that the christian baptism is not necassary for salvation?
Nice to hear from you again, we may disagree to some things but is nice to talk to you.
Blessings
Imagine; if you can the God of the Universe and beyond time itself humbled to live; breathe and die as a man. He truly suffered as our High Priest; but didn't sin. ( 1 Peter 4:1-2; Hebrews 4:14-16). He was able to know the hearts of all men; hence didn't need to analyze whether they would be responsive or not to the Word and therefore spoke things in light of that based on whoever He was addressing. However; specific rebuke toward individuals was focused on His Disciples; most notably Peter with the famous statement "get behind me Satan." ( Matthew 16:23; Mark 8:33). This was shortly after His statement that Peter's understanding of His being the Son of God was only revealed from God ( Matthew 16:17). There was no misunderstanding in the demon world when they were cast out as to who Christ was. He therefore was operating in the Spirit realm; and based all His conversations and actions on those efforts.
There are unsaid things as well. When the deaf and dumb demon was cast out; Jesus told His disciples in the midst of others that prayer and fasting were necessary to carry out that particular deliverance ( Matthew 17:19-21). This would indicate Christ's preparation for that event along with other times He had reasons to be up well before dawn and late at night with prayer. Knowledge was not necessary but reliance on the Holy Spirit above; and trust in God throughout the process. Since He is our High Priest; he willingly gave up doing anything in His own Divinity so He could be an example of how we are to live trusting entirely on God in our limited state. He still needs to be seen because of having the "Spirit without measure" ( John 3:34). Not acting is as much an example of God's character as actions; when we see that Christ's Divinity would have allowed access to more than 12 legions of angels; which could undoubtably have destroyed everyone at the crucifixion.
Amen. I agree.
Food for thought: If I'm truly saved according to the Gospel, would it not manifest into myself being a completely forgiving child of God? If I'm honest with myself, I'm still dealing with forgiveness; of others, myself, and possibly even God (relationships). Even happenings and events. Personally, I take it upon myself as evidence of my salvation, along with doing unto others as I'd have them do unto me, loving my neighbor as myself. Sometimes I don't do so well.
One way I see forgiveness is looking beyond one's mistakes from the beginning or before it happened. Thus the mistake doesn't appear as real to me. If I don't' forgive, have I truly received forgiveness for myself? Can an unforgiving heart enter the Kingdom?
That's a valuable piece of info one should remember when evangelizing.
God bless.
.....If he does not know us there is no seed sown in our hearts ...Thus no Child of PROMISE which is the H.G. the CHILD of PROMISE The Kingdom
......When Jesus was in Jerusalem many BELIEVED in him when they saw the miracles he did...But Jesus did not commit himself unto them b/c he knew what was in MAN and needed that not any should testify of man....Thats y he was saying you must be converted and become as a lil Child...Which is the Child of Promise the H.G...Our new birth... John 2 : 23 kjv
.....The only way we can be bornagain is by his seed which is his WORD....As Peter says being bornagain if an incorruptible seed etc...Even by the words of God....The living word which is spirit and life....Thus he has to know us which is an intimacy that results in a birth of Christ in us.
.....Thats the New Covenant...I will know them ALL from the least to the greatest....And thats y Jeremiah saw all men in travail and birth pains... Jeremiah 30 : 6 kjv
This intimacy is the Knowledge that is gonna cover the earth as the waters cover the seas....As he is gonna know all men... Isaiah 11 : 9..Kjv.....27 times in the O.T. the prophets saw the world in travail and birth pains.
.....The Child is the H.G. that Child of Promise the Kingdom....Unless ya receive the kingdom of God as a lil Child you will in no wise enter there in....Thats y he has to know us....Just believing is not enought....Satan believes and is not saved...ok
I would like to use a verse that almost every believer probably has memorized, and it is John 3:16 which says, "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.
But is that all it takes to have everlasting life, just to believe in Jesus? I would have to say no. Believing in Jesus is a must, but just believing alone cannot save a person.
Here's something I would like to share about John 3:16, and other verses that use the word in. First of all, in John 3:16, the original text does not say whosoever believeth in Him. It says whosoever believeth into Him. It is the word EIS which means into, not in. This is very important because there is a difference between believing in and believing into Jesus.
You see, a person can believe in Jesus but still not surrender their life to Him. Their belief will not save them. They must experience a Spiritual birth from above. They must receive Christ. They must transfer that belief in Him to a belief into him, meaning they must be born of His Spirit (Spiritual birth), them in Christ and Christ in them.
When I read verses that say believe in Jesus, especially John 3:16, I already know that in the original text it says believe into, not believe in. And again, there is a difference. There are people who will say that all you have to do to be saved and have eternal life is believe in Jesus. But that is not true. Again, belief is important but will not save a person.
The bible tells us in James 2:19 that even the demons believe in Jesus. They know who He is but they will never surrender their life to Him. They will never believe into Him.
Just thought I'd share this!
The scripture tells that WE (after the death of the flesh and blood body) will BECOME like the ANGELS.
Psalms 103:20 Bless the Lord ye his angels ....
Psalms 104:4 Who maketh his angels spirit; his ministers (his priests) a flaming fire.
John 3:6 ....that which is born (again) of Spirit is spirit.
Psalms 148:2 Praise him all ye ANGELS .....
Luke 20:36 Neither can they (those resurrected with Christ) died anymore, for THEY (those chosen to be part of the first resurrection) are EQUAL unto THE ANGELS; and are the children of God, being the CHILDREN OF THE RESURRECTION.
Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers (or possibly someone you have known); for there by SOME (possibly you) have entertained ANGELS UNAWARE.
In the Old Testament Angels; appearing as men, appeared to several.
Christ (the first man) also appearing as the Angel of the Lord.
I would not get freaked out about: THE WORKS of THE LORD.
God Bless You as we grow in understanding.
made known by Jesus Christ and notice 17 for God sent his Son NOT TO CONDEMN the world but that the world through Him
might be saved. Also next verse the condition you have to believe nothing gets done without believing and that requires
action based on Gods word on what to do. Romans 8:28-39 look at who has our back and also 2 Peter 1-8 those who believe
through the knowledge of God and act on that knowledge will never fail. So the draw is Gods love and only the scriptures
show it. Agapeo
I'll try to redo Part 4 as best as I can remember.
So I ask myself, why does my sin matter in my relationship with God?
I go to Romans 1:18
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men..." (NIV) Whoa!
And in 2:8
"..but to those whoa re self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness-indignation and wrath, tribulation and guish, on every soul that does evil..." (NIV)
And 3:10 says:
"As it is written:
There is none righteous, no, not one...."
and in 3:23
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
And 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
(All NIV, being the translation I have on hand at home.)
So, this tells me that I am guilty and ungodly before God.
Romans 6:6 tells me that "For when we were still without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly."
and Vs. 8 But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
and Vs. 10 "For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."
Ephesians 2:1 "And you He made alive who were dead in trespasses and sins...."
Well, we all stand guilty and are all dead to God in our sins, and are enemies to God until we are reconciled to God by the death and resurrection of Jesus, through whom we are regenerated and made alive to God. So, I think, it is good to be alive to God and not good at all to be dead in sin. so, my sin matters to God in that it separates me from Him.
So, I think, why would I want to be reconciled to Him, aside from avoiding being under his wrath and judgment? What is it about God that would make me consider turning to Him? In my sinful state, I would not want to turn to Him, but even then, the Holy Spirit works in me to turn me to God by grace! I am to believe that and act of the grace given to me
Have a wonderful day. I hope you get many more replies from others. May you be blessed in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord of all.
Pt.5
When I consider if I do think that life with God forever is worth believing in Jesus and all that the Bible says of Him, I say yes!
When I read that God loves the world enough to come and die for me & all the evil things I have done can be forgiven and removed from me, that makes me understand that God is truly good and has only good in store for those who believe in Jesus and come to God through His great sacrifice.
I think, do I like it when people do good to me or do evil? I prefer good. I think, do I want to live eternally with those who are evil and unbelieving or with those who are made righteous in the place Jesus has prepared for us where no sin will ever be done again? I desire the latter.
And I now know that the only way I can have this eternal life (the latter) is by believing in Jesus and trusting that He is indeed the Truth (and all that He said and promised is true) and that He is the Way (the only avenue to gain eternal life with God) and that He is the Life (the only Life that will satisfy all of my needs and sustain me forever).
I know that in order for any sin of mine to be forgiven, Jesus chose to die in order to take it and all of my sins away) and in order for me to have victory over sin in me and my life, Jesus raised Himself from the dead to secure this victory and bestow on me His Life, which is eternal and always pure.
I know that in order for me to be able to stand before God and not be condemned for my sin, I must abandon all of myself to Jesus and his work of salvation for me, for He alone is the source of salvation. I can't save myself or ever be perfectly righteous on my own to deserve to live with a pure and good God forever.
I know that in order for to lay claim to any of the promises and actual efficacy of the work of Jesus Christ, I must believe in Him as my sole Savior and accept the gift of salvation that is brought to me by His Holy Spirit who works in me to be converted and dwells in me.
continued
Jesus had a brain that thought and reasoned and controlled his human body.
So this convinces me that Jesus indeed was both fully God and fully man.
So then I ask, why did God become a man?
In John 1:29, John the Baptist, upon seeing Jesus says, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."
And Jesus, Himself, says ( John 3:15-17) "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved."
This tells me that Jesus became a man to take away the sin (all sin) of the world by being a "sacrificial lamb" and the one by which anyone can be saved from their sinfulness and the condemnation that comes with it by believing in Him.
Therefore, since He is Truth, I believe that He is the only one who can save me from my sins.
The Gospels tell me that Jesus told people that their sins are forgiven. Only God can forgive sins. So, if I want my sins forgiven, I must believe that they are forgiven by and through Jesus.
The next question I ask is: If Jesus came to take away the sins of others, did He have sins to be forgiven?
I must admit that God does not have any sin in Him, and if Jesus is God, He is without sin.
I am also told that in 2 Corinthians 5:21 "For He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (NIV)
From this passage, I am told that Jesus never sinned, but to make us righteous before God, He became sin for us (in His death)
Before this verse, Paul says in 1Corinthians 5:14- 15 that Jesus died for all.
...continued
"He who knew no sin became sin
Part 2
Then we go to John 1:14-18 which tells us that the Word (spoken of in verse 1) "became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld
His glory, the glory as the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (NIV)
This tells me that The Word spoken of in verse 1 is Jesus. This tells me that Jesus existed before He became flesh, being the Word of God and with God and is God.
So here we have the Word becoming a human person but still being God. Whoa!
But it says Jesus was full of grace and truth, so what is said about Him by John is to believed as true.
So now I know why Jesus was unique and singularly special. Well, then I ask, "What did He do to show His deity?
I read the accounts of His life and works in the Gospels and I find that He performed miracles that only God could do.
I find that He had power of demons, which only God can have.
I find that He expanded on the Law in the Sermon on the Mount that only God can legitimately claim to have authority to do.
I find that He was one with the Father and if one has seen Him they have seen the Father, which is a claim to be God.
I find that He was transfigured on the mountain with His disciples present to witness. Only God can have such glory.
I find that He said He had the authority to lay down His own life and to take it back up again. Only God can raise someone from the dead, and He said that He would raise Himself from the dead.
I find that He predicted His death and resurrection ahead of time and it happened just as He said, even being in the grave for three days before rising again.
Then I ask, how do I know He was human as well as divine? Again I go to the Gospel accounts.
He was conceived in the womb of Mary by the Holy Spirit, grew within her and was born as a baby. He had flesh, bones, and blood. He grew and matured, He ate, slept, got tired, was able to be injured, and die. He did all of the things that humans did and had a body made of matter, DNA. -continued