Whenever possible, it is good to have quality online prayer with other believers especially those on the mission field. Unfortunately our church hasn't updated their technology and has been slack in finding; for instance a missionary not heard from in Ukraine for at least several years. I have tried to be clear in regard to what may be perceived reality and what is actually happening.
The news reports tend to focus on the Middle East and the "special military operation" going on in Ukraine. Africa and South America are certainly less in focus. Any good news isn't told; admittedly seeing constant footage of endless war and suffering is needed for those who wish to put their head in the sand; but we also need to be balanced praying for those in their everyday circumstances. We can; for instance forget where persecution occurs such as Africa in particular we also have problems with prosperity and other spurious Gospel messages although I suspect much of that group of people as they are in this country are often left alone as they aren't much of a threat to Satan's agenda.
At this point; we have seen more influx of those from other nations coming to evangelize here as of late from what I gather; and we certainly need to start reaching out here in spreading the Good News at least opposing the mindset that we will hold out until we can travel to a faraway land to do the same.
Now being a blessing to others whether it is sending funds; or doing service for those in church which I just did last Sunday for a few hours for someone moving into a new home is helpful; I certainly am lacking in the gift of service so I need to do all I can to learn from others who have this gift. Occupy until I come ( Luke 19:13) certainly has many meanings and practically speaking we shouldn't slack in helping others ( Galatians 6:9). Jesus was always doing the work of the Father ( John 5:17). In our own puny way let us do so also
Perhaps a good way to start this commentary series is to focus on what we should NOT be praying about. John makes it clear from scripture we shouldn't pray about a sin leading to death (1 John 5:16). Paul sort of expands on that when expelling a brother when he says that: To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. ( 1 Cor. 5:5). These verses show that we indeed should desire a person returns to fellowship as the man did who committed the heinous sin of sleeping with his father's wife ( 2 Corinthians 2:7-8); which I assume the verse on restoration is referring to from 1 Corinthians.
Now the 10000 dollar question is what sin leads to death; clearly the result of all sins is death; but we could say someone who murders someone could qualify for that particular sin. Or in the above verses we should pray that through God's discipline someone repents not pray for them to be restored before repenting; or seek somehow to circumvent God's clear instructions not to fellowship with those who proclaim Christ but live i willful lifestyles of sin We see in 1 Corinthians 5:11 that particular instruction.
I think from these verses there are proper times when we should pray for conviction of sin; and that applies to a professed Christian who is either lapsing in sin or has progressed or never removed themselves from such a lifestyle but our approach is different. The nonbeliever MUST be convicted as John 16:8 states so that sin; righteousness and judgment to come are paramount in their fear of God that is the beginning of wisdom. ( Proverbs 9:10).
Too many people seem to think that rebuke and prayers for conviction and lovingkindness; mercy and compassion are mutually exclusive. We need only to look at Christ to see how both exist; with more warnings of hell than statements about heaven; and yet sacrificing His life throughout his earthly ministry and atoning death.
I have to agree with you that many interpret a 7-year tribulation based on Daniel 9:27 because I am one of the many. In fact, it is my understanding that all prophecies concerning the last days are based upon Daniel 9:24-27, which presents the 70th week of Daniel.
I agree that the beast is only given 42 months (3-1/2 years), not 7-years. This will be the last 3-1/2 years of the 7-year tribulation period. I do not agree that 70th week of Daniel has already been fulfilled as you probably have figured out from my previous posts over the years.
My understanding is that the antichrist is the one who confirms this covenant with Israel, not Jesus. In Daniel 9:24-27, we see the word prince twice. The first time is in Verse 25. This is Jesus. He is called Messiah the Prince. Please notice that the word Prince is in CAPS. But then in Verse 26, He is cut off (crucified).
In Verse 26 we see the word prince again. This time, in lower case because this is not Jesus but the antichrist. In Verse 27, it says he, this prince (antichrist) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week.
This one week is 7-years. We don't know the time frame, but as soon as the church is removed, as soon as the tribulation period begins, there will be seven years, that is, one week, 1 seven in Jewish literature. There will be seven years of tribulation.
I don't agree that the "he" in Daniel 9:27 is Jesus. It is the prince that shall come after Jesus is crucified. Again, notice the word prince used twice in Verses 24-27. Prince has a capital "P" which refers to Jesus in Verse 25. This prince that confirms the covenant with the Jews is the antichrist.
This would make sense as to why Jesus would say in John 5:43, "I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive."
1 John 5:10-21"he who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself" a call there to integrity, not just of belief, but of conduct. i thought: what are the holy and the profane if not two fields in which our affections can grow?
If someone wants to guide me beyond these first emotions - with patience, not haste - then let them teach me what constant love is. Perhaps a teacher. But a teacher whose own life is his lesson.
I've learned that there is a grace - silent, firm - that sustains us, like a lot of grass, growing constantly; it doesn't demand attention, but acts profoundly. .L It is this grace that God makes abound, not in luxury, but in sufficiency. And in sufficiency, there is peace.
I thought of the final verse - "Little children, keep yourselves from idols" - and found it most striking in its simplicity.
When John concludes with "Little children, keep yourselves from idols", I no longer think of distant statues or alien religions. I think of the idols that I have sometimes created in silence: a memory, a vanity, a sadness so cherished that it almost seemed like virtue. And I ask myself: how many times have I loved the idea of a happy ending more than the God who sustains the soul even when everything falls apart? God has given us understanding - and even if we each arrive on different paths, we are in the One who is true. We said little more after that. I believe each of us carried the weight of the words in her own way.
Thank you for your reply, I certainly do not mind. I understand that this subject is delicate, and I am blessed to have brothers and sisters on this site willing to discuss it. Revelation is a challenging book, and I am looking forward to Jesse getting through it.
You have listed some exciting verses, and I hope to share my thoughts on them and your post, not to determine who may be right, but rather to view the discussion as a nudge to pray and study. On the verses you listed, John 12:49-50, Jesus is saying the Father gave Him a commandment and what the Father told Him to say, Jesus was obedient.
John 8:28-29, the Pharisees were debating with Jesus who He was, and He said that in verse 28-29 when He is lifted up/crucified, they will know who He is. We see in Matthew 28:54 when Jesus died and those things that happened, the centurion and those who were there greatly feared and said, "Truly this was the Son of God.
John 7:16-19, the gospels, reveal the glory of the Father who sent Jesus; all that Jesus did was accomplished by the Father through the Holy Spirit, with which Jesus was anointed without measure.
In John 4:34, John 5:19, John 5:30, and John 8:26 all say that it is the Father, not Him, on in John 14:10 Jesus was in the Father and the Father was in Him this was from the time Jesus was anointed without measure the Holy Spirit when He was baptized and made the Messiah.
Jesus was and is the Word of God; John 1:14. God was in the flesh in Jesus through the Holy Spirit, just like these verses say. The beginning in John, many understand it as the beginning of creation, my understanding is the beginning of Jesus' ministry, as we see in Mark 1:1, Luke 1:2, and 1 John 1:1.
To me, Jesus was the first in the plan of God, Revelation 3:14, and everything was created in Jesus, not by Him, and all was created for Jesus and the purpose of the Father. Revelation 13:8 and 1 Peter 1:18-21.
2 John 1:9 - Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
Whosoever transgresses, and abides (MENO) not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. Does not have God!
A person is called a transgressor that's going beyond. The Gnostics went beyond the teachings of Jesus Christ, or the doctrine of Christ. And they went beyond the teachings of the apostles. They didn't remain in the doctrine of Christ but went in another direction. John says they do not have God.
He that abides, (Present Participle), the one who is abiding continuously in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son. Uh oh! The Gnostics don't believe the Father and the Son go together, or as one. Here we go again!
Jesus said, the Father judges no man, but has given all judgement to the Son, that as all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. If you do not honor the Son, you honor not the Father who has sent Him. They go together. You cannot separate them. You cannot give the Father honor and not the Son. And you can't give the Son honor and not the Father.
John 5:18 says therefore the Jews sought to kill Him because He not only had broken the Sabbath day, but said also that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. They knew! Some might say, "Well, I wouldn't have gotten that out of that." That's because ours is in an English translation.
The way it is understood in the Middle East, when Jesus said my Father works today, and I work, He's saying the Father and I are one. So, they sought to kill Him because it says He made Himself equal to God. Jesus could have told them "No, no, you guys misunderstood me," because that's blasphemy to call Him God.
But He didn't do that, because He is God! And they sought to kill Him. So, the person who is abiding in the correct doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.
1 John 5:20 - And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
And we know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding, and this is kind of interesting. The word means to understand the spiritual things of God. God has given us understanding of the spiritual things of God.
The purpose: In order that we might know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the true God, and eternal life.
Two great statements of fact, Jesus Christ is the true God, and He is the eternal life! Now eternal life is quality of life, and extension of life. If I have eternal life right now, it means I'm going to live forever. There's no end. Does He give me that? No, He is that! He lives in me, and He is eternal. So as long as God lives, I'm going to live. The quality that God is, I'm going to experience throughout eternity. Jesus Christ is eternal life!
This is all I have for 1 John. I will be going through 2 John next, Lord willing!
1 John 4:4 says, you have already overcome them little children, because greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. So, I have overcome. It's a Perfect Tense. It's already a done deal!
1 John 5:14 - And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
That's a factual statement. He hears us. God will answer every prayer that is asked for His will to be done, guaranteed!
1 John 5:18 - We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
We know that whosoever is born of God sins not; literally, does not continue in sin, but he that is born of God keeps himself, and again the word keep in the Greek text is guard, and that wicked one, or evil one does not touch him.
There are manuscript differences. Instead of keepeth himself, the oldest manuscripts say, the one who is born of God, God keeps him, guards him, and the evil one does not touch him. The word touch is the word HAPTO, which means to fasten onto someone, to grip onto and hold onto them. Satan can touch my life, but he can't have me. He can't fasten himself to me and take me away.
1 John 5:19 - And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in wickedness. And not just wickedness, because in the Greek text it's the evil one.
1 John 4:8 - He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
He that loves not does not know God; Here's the reason: for God is love. In Verse 16, it says it again. It's the only definition in the bible for AGAPE love. God is love. The verb for of AGAPE, AGAPAO, is found everywhere in literature. It's even used in the bible to talk about a love for the world.
But the noun AGAPE is only found two other places outside of the bible in all of the Greek literature. And the noun is strictly associated with God Himself. He is love. So, if you were to ask me, what does it mean to love my neighbor? Well, it's not an action. It's God!
1 John 4:11 - Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
We are indebted. That's what the word ought means. We all know what credit card debt is. This is the same kind. God loved me so much that He sent His Son to die for me. I am indebted to my brothers and sisters in Christ to function and walk in the love of God.
1 John 4:21 - And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loves God, and notice the factual statement: he that loves God, loves his brother also. It doesn't say should. It says loves his brother also. That's a factual statement. And again, the love is AGAPE.
1 John 5:4 - For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
For whosoever is born of God overcomes the world: That's a factual statement! And this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. It's the indication of a one-time belief in Christ at that time of salvation. The moment that I put my faith in Christ; I became an overcomer. I am overcoming, and I have overcome the world. We see this in Chapter 4.
I'm currently creating watercolor-style bookmarks for my Bible, and right now I'm working through the book of Ruth.
As I create these bookmarks, I've noticed how certain elements in nature. like the softness of a feather, the calm of a watercolor sky, or even the sound of a bird. can gently remind us of God's nearness. Not because they are the Holy Spirit, but because they evoke a sense of peace, comfort, and holy presence that we often associate with time spent in prayer or Scripture.
As ( Romans 14:21) reminds us, we are called to walk in sensitivity toward one another's faith. So I want to make it clear that I'm not attempting to personalize Scripture or assign new meanings to it, but simply creating visual prompts that stir the heart and reflect the beauty of living in fellowship with God.
One phrase I'd like to include is "We live in a different world, and there are three that testify in heaven." (A reference to 1 John 5:7, depending on the translation.)
That's really interesting! I didn't know the 2017 KJV revision translated into Norwegian would omit the name Jehovah entirely. I wonder what translation choices led to that. Personally, I find it meaningful when God's names are preserved. especially in study Bibles. But it's always helpful to compare versions too!
Hello "Susan71". (Was going to find the bed but was reminded that I should answer you before that). Imagine in my new KJV 2017 revised and translated into Norwegian Jehovah is not mentioned once. I use to read from the beginning sometimes. And started doing it again about a month ago.
Now we know that Jehovah has been in previous editions. So I don't know if I like the new translation yet. So far I have found that quite a bit has been taken away. And to me it doesn't sound complete. As you probably know, God is a terrible God, HE IS fair. He regretted that He had created man and had to hide Himself from us, for not to destroy us. He is Almighty God and as a Christian I am a Christian, so to speak. A person who is a Christian does not want/dont need other gods. He would have put an end to us, because no man has seen God. Only in the Old Testament, if anyone sees the face of God today, it is the Lord Jesus who shows Himself. When Jesus came, He abolished the law, and that means that the old covenant is gone. Then there is no reason for us who are justified by faith to dwell on the old law or covenant. Or name for that matter. Because the OT doesn't have that meaning anymore. We live in a different world, and there are three that testify in Heaven. But the OT is good for many things, like learning from it and understanding and keeping ourselves away from: evil thoughts, murder, adultery, adultery, theft, false witness. When we talk about names. Jes 9:6 IS it Jesus, He Is today. And forever. He lives, and He says the Father and I are One. And we can, by righteousness through faith, come to the Holy Spirit, and live with Him. For there are three who bear witness in heaven. 1 John 5:6-9
For me there is One God. And the way to Him is through Jesus. No one comes to the Father except through Me, says Jesus. Today Jesus has all power in Heaven and on earth, He IS worthy.
Hope this can help you get answers and that it does not lead to confusion for you in Jesus name, Amen
When the word overcome, which is the word for victory, when it is presented about a believer, it's in the Perfect Tense. In 1 John 4:4, John's been talking about the spirit of antichrist in the world, and he says you are of God little children, and you have overcome them. Not should. You have already. Because greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.
1 John 5:4 says, for whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. Again, has overcome, Perfect Tense.
And also, in the book of Revelation, in Chapters 2 and 3, the seven letters to the churches in Asia, to each church the Lord gives His warning and says to them, to the one who overcome, that is, the sins and problems in the church, I will give them the crown of life. To each one He says that.
Well, that's the way it reads in English, to the one who overcomes. It sounds like it's a challenge. But it's literally a Present Participle in the Greek. To the ones who are already overcoming. It's not a challenge. The point of the true believers that are within these fellowships, they are already overcoming. And they are the ones who will respond to what Christ had to say in His warnings. The people who do not belong to Christ will not.
If I may offer up a different perspective on prayer, I read over the scriptures you gave and the message that Jesus is presenting to His disciples have nothing to do with prayer being answered or not being answered. In John 13:12-20, we are given the purpose of the foot washing. In context, this message was given as an example of service and how His people should serve Him. This would also apply to believers today.
There are several teachings in the bible on prayer, and out of all the teachings, there's one place in the bible that seems to be a summary statement of all the teachings on prayer. It is found in 1 John 5:14-15 which reads, "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
The term "we have" in Verse 15 is present, ongoing. When we pray for something for His will to be done, we have our answer already, now and continuing in the future. God answers every prayer when we ask according to His will.
When we ask for the Lord's will to be done, we are expressing our submission to Him with whatever He does. We are to let go of the situation knowing that we have the answer to our prayer. Whatever it is, it's His answer!
I share this not as an argument, but to show that we as believers can know without a doubt that God will answer every prayer that we ask of Him when we ask for His will to be done in whatever it is we are asking.
1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
The scripture states that the Father, son, and Holy spirit are three in one, The revelation is that the name of the father, son and the Holly spirit is Jesus.
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
1 John 5:15
"And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."
In John 5:38-40 we have Jesus speaking to the Pharisees.
And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
Jesus is referring to the old testament scriptures. The new testament haven't been recorded yet.
I mention this because the old testament/covenant established under the Levitical priesthood was a foreshadowing of the new covenant that Christ brought in on the cross.
So you see, the Gospel of salvation is mentioned throughout the Bible starting with Genesis. Most notably ( Genesis 3:15 )
You may be able to parallel John 5:38-40 with Hebrews 10:5-10.
Dear Jennifer: I am assuming you are married as to the way you listed your name. I mention that because obviously that is a huge part of your walk with the Lord if that is the case.
There's a lot I'd like to say but perhaps specific issues that crop up can be dealt with in continuing dialogue.
I feel a need to emphasize that human acceptance or rejection should never affect your witness. Hear me out here-it certainly does not mean that we are; as Paul Simon said in one of his songs "I am a rock; I am an island" in the second stanza and the third
I've built walls
A fortress deep and mighty
That none may penetrate
I have no need of friendship, friendship causes pain
It's laughter and it's loving I disdain
I am a rock I am an island
I ask the monitors here allow this part of a secular song to illustrate how; as scripture says we can harden ourselves
Proverbs 18:19 states
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
So unforgiveness is something we need the Lord to remove for efeffectiveness. Also we need to allow ourselves to be righteously angry with the enemy of our souls (only through the Spirit NOT our own anger); as well as with injustices in general and the harm inflicted by others sin and the sins themselves. Remember that the whole world is under the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19).
Fellowship is important along with our own personal walk. He desires us to fulfill the Great Commission and use the gifts He has given us within the Body of Christ. It is helpful to get input from others of what our gifts are as they often can see it much clearer than we can.
I would also emphasize that ministering to others brings us healing; and the same goes for prayer. Remember NOT going out there or sins of omission are as important as those we commit. Others need the input you have as a part of the Body of believers.
Paul said in Ephesians Chapter 2, and along with Ephesians Chapter 4 that the Holy Spirit has been given to us as a guarantee until the redemption happens, when Christ comes for us. 1 John 5:18-20 says the one who has been born of God, Satan cannot touch him, because God keeps him. 1 Peter 1:5 says we are those who have been saved by the power of God, and we are kept by the power of God unto salvation.
It's His faithfulness. I'm saved today because I have Christ in me, not because I act a certain way or don't act a certain way. It's because I have Christ in me. And because I have Christ in me, I'm going to make it all the way to the end, no matter what goes on because I'm a child of God.
But some people use that verse, that phrase, that conditional clause, to show that it's possible for someone to lose their salvation. "If you don't make it all the way, you lose your salvation. Or if you quit." But that's an expression of not understanding what salvation is. I'm not saved because I decide I want to be saved. I'm saved because I'm born of the Spirit of God. Now that God's Spirit is in me, if I don't want to be saved, something's got to be done with His Spirit. I hope this makes sense? We can't just quit!
And then you'll have those who will say that if you sin, then you lose your salvation. Well, we've all lost it then, haven't we? If that's the case, nobody is ever going to be saved. Some say that because you say you cannot lose your salvation, you are giving Christians a license to sin, that you can do whatever you want because you're never going to lose your salvation.
1 John 5:11-12 reads And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
If you trusted and received Jesus you have eternal life right now!
John 14:6 reads "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and THE LIFE: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Those are the words of Jesus who cannot lie!
Do you believe him?
If so here's Paul.
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 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. Romans 10:8-11.
"That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him."
Thanks again, Ronald. These are good things to study as long as we accept the authority of Scripture as that which determines our belief. Blessings to you tonight and always.
Revelation 13:7-8 is saying that all who dwell upon the earth will worship (the Beast) not God, for they are all those whose names are not written in the Book of Life. Perhaps this is not what you meant to convey.
Later I will go through those verses in this part on the topic you highlight.
I am so glad that God will supply for us in Christ through the Holy Spirit the power to endure to the end and cause us to persevere in faith throughout our life. We, ourselves would not be able to do this. Our salvation is of God from start to finish! Praise the Lord!
Let us pray that we come to unity of faith with sound doctrine taught in Scripture concerning all matters of our God, our salvation, our future. I remember reading that we have eternal life now and in the future. Let me pull up that verse.
John 5:24
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."
John 11:25
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live"
John 6:47
"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life."
Eternal life is both a present and future possession of believers. How amazing and comforting that is. We who are in Christ are already raised to life while alive now, but will also be resurrected bodily at Jesus' return to have our salvation become complete and eternal.
Thanks for posting this series on the Last Supper Discourse.
In Part 2 you said several ideas that I don't find supported by the text or the teachings of Scripture concerning Jesus Christ.
In the passage that speaks of "giving eternal life" it states that Jesus was given power and authority by the Father AND that "he" (Jesus) gives eternal life. It is true that it is God who gives eternal life, but Scripture states clearly that both the Father and the Son, Jesus Christ give eternal life --- John 10:28; 1 John 5:11-13; 20; John 6:27, 54; 1 John 1:2.
John 17:2
"even as You (the Father) gave Him (Jesus, the Son)authority over all flesh, that to all whom You (the Father) have given Him (Jesus), He (Jesus)may give eternal life."
When we look at the truth of this verse it clearly states that Jesus give eternal life to all the Father gives Him.
To say of this verse that it is the Father who gives life is not exegeting this verse properly and it diminishes the deity of Jesus.
Also, you state that it was through the Holy Spirit that Jesus knew the Father's will and what to say. But this is not what Scriptures say. In John 14:31 it says that Jesus does all that the Father commands Him (Jesus) to do. No mention of the Holy Spirit here. John 5:19 says that Jesus does all that He sees the Father do. So He knows what the Father's will is and what God is says and does through His own divinity and not through the Holy Spirit.
In His human nature, Jesus relied on the Holy Spirit to be obedient to the Father, but His divinity, being unified with the Father and the Holy Spirit, knew all the will of God, all that the Father does, all that the Father says.
John 10:15 says that "even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep."
To speak as though Jesus needed the Holy Spirit to know what He was to do or say denies His divinity and oneness with the Father. See part 2
4. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
Jesus tells His Father He has finished the work that the Father gave Him to do. Jesus was obedient to the Father in everything; He lived a life doing the Father's will, not His own, John 4:34, John 5:30. Jesus glorified His Father by living a sinless life, fulfilling the law, and completed the works of the Father by the Spirit of God, John 14:10.
He manifested His Father's love, goodness, justice, mercy, and truth, as Jesus in John 14:7-11 told the disciples, if you have seen me, you have seen the Father, I am in the Father, and the Father in me, the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Later in this chapter, Jesus says more than once, "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me and I in thee, that they also may be one in us', "that they may be one, even as we are one".
Jesus knows He must face His crucifixion, and stating that He has glorified the Father and fulfilled His work is not a boast but a reflection of His love and dedication to God's purpose. Jesus prays this prayer in front of His disciples to demonstrate the importance of obedience, emphasizing that all we do is to glorify God.
3, And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
This is one powerful verse: "And this is life eternal." This was the primary purpose of Jesus' mission: the immortality of the Father came to earth, manifested in Jesus, and eternal life which God the Father alone possesses, 1 Timothy 6:16.
God was revealed in the flesh of His only Son, Jesus. What is eternal was manifested in the world and is now available to us. This eternal life is given that we might know the only true God and His Son Jesus Christ, whom His Father sent, 1 John 4:7-16.
There are 38 times in the gospels where Jesus said God sent Him, the most expressive is in John 7:16-29. When Jesus was sent, it was first for the lost sheep of the house of Israel, Matthew 15:24, at the fullness of time, for those under the law, Galatians 4:4-5. This was part of God's plan from the beginning and happened at the fullness of time.
In 1 John 5:20, John says Jesus gave them understanding that they should know the Son of God, the Messiah has come, and that we should know the true God, and we are in Him, the true God, and in the Son of Him that is the only God from whom eternal life comes. Paul says the same in 1 Corinthians 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. God, the Father, of whom are all things, "of whom are" Greek ek" or "ex" indicates the origin or source. "Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, Greek dia ho, he, to pas, on the account of Jesus are all things.
2, As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
Jesus confirms that the Father has given Him power over all humanity and that, through His redemptive work, God grants eternal life to all those whom He has given to Jesus. Jesus understood the Scriptures, including what had been said about Him and what He would do and suffer, as illustrated in Isaiah 53:1-12. This indicates that all of humanity has been entrusted to
Christ, beginning with the lost sheep of Israel, and that anyone who believes in Jesus will not perish but will have eternal life.
This was God's plan to make salvation possible, man had to pay the penalty, the only way humanity can be reconciled to Him, as indicated in John 14:6. The word " power " is derived from the Greek word " exousia, " meaning authority. Through the Spirit of God, He granted His power and authority to Jesus Christ over humanity, John 3:34-35, John 5:26-27, Acts 10:38.
The Holy Spirit enabled Jesus to speak the words the Father had given him to speak, John 14:24. After God raised Jesus from the dead, the Father placed all heaven and earth under Jesus, Matthew 28:18, Ephesians 1:19-23, and Philippians 2:9-11.
Jesus's mission was to do the will of the Father. In John 5:19-23, Jesus says He can do nothing by Himself, same in John 5:30. God has committed all judgment unto the Son. The word committed is the Greek word didmi, to give, to grant, to bestow; it was deliberately transferred to Jesus to do the will of the Father who sent Him.
This highlights God's plan being fulfilled, emphasizing Jesus' role as the Messiah appointed and given authority by the Father.
Whenever possible, it is good to have quality online prayer with other believers especially those on the mission field. Unfortunately our church hasn't updated their technology and has been slack in finding; for instance a missionary not heard from in Ukraine for at least several years. I have tried to be clear in regard to what may be perceived reality and what is actually happening.
The news reports tend to focus on the Middle East and the "special military operation" going on in Ukraine. Africa and South America are certainly less in focus. Any good news isn't told; admittedly seeing constant footage of endless war and suffering is needed for those who wish to put their head in the sand; but we also need to be balanced praying for those in their everyday circumstances. We can; for instance forget where persecution occurs such as Africa in particular we also have problems with prosperity and other spurious Gospel messages although I suspect much of that group of people as they are in this country are often left alone as they aren't much of a threat to Satan's agenda.
At this point; we have seen more influx of those from other nations coming to evangelize here as of late from what I gather; and we certainly need to start reaching out here in spreading the Good News at least opposing the mindset that we will hold out until we can travel to a faraway land to do the same.
Now being a blessing to others whether it is sending funds; or doing service for those in church which I just did last Sunday for a few hours for someone moving into a new home is helpful; I certainly am lacking in the gift of service so I need to do all I can to learn from others who have this gift. Occupy until I come ( Luke 19:13) certainly has many meanings and practically speaking we shouldn't slack in helping others ( Galatians 6:9). Jesus was always doing the work of the Father ( John 5:17). In our own puny way let us do so also
Perhaps a good way to start this commentary series is to focus on what we should NOT be praying about. John makes it clear from scripture we shouldn't pray about a sin leading to death (1 John 5:16). Paul sort of expands on that when expelling a brother when he says that: To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. ( 1 Cor. 5:5). These verses show that we indeed should desire a person returns to fellowship as the man did who committed the heinous sin of sleeping with his father's wife ( 2 Corinthians 2:7-8); which I assume the verse on restoration is referring to from 1 Corinthians.
Now the 10000 dollar question is what sin leads to death; clearly the result of all sins is death; but we could say someone who murders someone could qualify for that particular sin. Or in the above verses we should pray that through God's discipline someone repents not pray for them to be restored before repenting; or seek somehow to circumvent God's clear instructions not to fellowship with those who proclaim Christ but live i willful lifestyles of sin We see in 1 Corinthians 5:11 that particular instruction.
I think from these verses there are proper times when we should pray for conviction of sin; and that applies to a professed Christian who is either lapsing in sin or has progressed or never removed themselves from such a lifestyle but our approach is different. The nonbeliever MUST be convicted as John 16:8 states so that sin; righteousness and judgment to come are paramount in their fear of God that is the beginning of wisdom. ( Proverbs 9:10).
Too many people seem to think that rebuke and prayers for conviction and lovingkindness; mercy and compassion are mutually exclusive. We need only to look at Christ to see how both exist; with more warnings of hell than statements about heaven; and yet sacrificing His life throughout his earthly ministry and atoning death.
I have to agree with you that many interpret a 7-year tribulation based on Daniel 9:27 because I am one of the many. In fact, it is my understanding that all prophecies concerning the last days are based upon Daniel 9:24-27, which presents the 70th week of Daniel.
I agree that the beast is only given 42 months (3-1/2 years), not 7-years. This will be the last 3-1/2 years of the 7-year tribulation period. I do not agree that 70th week of Daniel has already been fulfilled as you probably have figured out from my previous posts over the years.
My understanding is that the antichrist is the one who confirms this covenant with Israel, not Jesus. In Daniel 9:24-27, we see the word prince twice. The first time is in Verse 25. This is Jesus. He is called Messiah the Prince. Please notice that the word Prince is in CAPS. But then in Verse 26, He is cut off (crucified).
In Verse 26 we see the word prince again. This time, in lower case because this is not Jesus but the antichrist. In Verse 27, it says he, this prince (antichrist) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week.
This one week is 7-years. We don't know the time frame, but as soon as the church is removed, as soon as the tribulation period begins, there will be seven years, that is, one week, 1 seven in Jewish literature. There will be seven years of tribulation.
I don't agree that the "he" in Daniel 9:27 is Jesus. It is the prince that shall come after Jesus is crucified. Again, notice the word prince used twice in Verses 24-27. Prince has a capital "P" which refers to Jesus in Verse 25. This prince that confirms the covenant with the Jews is the antichrist.
This would make sense as to why Jesus would say in John 5:43, "I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive."
Out of space, need to send a short part 2
1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
Blessings
1 John 5:10-21"he who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself" a call there to integrity, not just of belief, but of conduct. i thought: what are the holy and the profane if not two fields in which our affections can grow?
If someone wants to guide me beyond these first emotions - with patience, not haste - then let them teach me what constant love is. Perhaps a teacher. But a teacher whose own life is his lesson.
I've learned that there is a grace - silent, firm - that sustains us, like a lot of grass, growing constantly; it doesn't demand attention, but acts profoundly. .L It is this grace that God makes abound, not in luxury, but in sufficiency. And in sufficiency, there is peace.
I thought of the final verse - "Little children, keep yourselves from idols" - and found it most striking in its simplicity.
When John concludes with "Little children, keep yourselves from idols", I no longer think of distant statues or alien religions. I think of the idols that I have sometimes created in silence: a memory, a vanity, a sadness so cherished that it almost seemed like virtue. And I ask myself: how many times have I loved the idea of a happy ending more than the God who sustains the soul even when everything falls apart? God has given us understanding - and even if we each arrive on different paths, we are in the One who is true. We said little more after that. I believe each of us carried the weight of the words in her own way.
God bless you!!!
Part 1
Thank you for your reply, I certainly do not mind. I understand that this subject is delicate, and I am blessed to have brothers and sisters on this site willing to discuss it. Revelation is a challenging book, and I am looking forward to Jesse getting through it.
You have listed some exciting verses, and I hope to share my thoughts on them and your post, not to determine who may be right, but rather to view the discussion as a nudge to pray and study. On the verses you listed, John 12:49-50, Jesus is saying the Father gave Him a commandment and what the Father told Him to say, Jesus was obedient.
John 8:28-29, the Pharisees were debating with Jesus who He was, and He said that in verse 28-29 when He is lifted up/crucified, they will know who He is. We see in Matthew 28:54 when Jesus died and those things that happened, the centurion and those who were there greatly feared and said, "Truly this was the Son of God.
John 7:16-19, the gospels, reveal the glory of the Father who sent Jesus; all that Jesus did was accomplished by the Father through the Holy Spirit, with which Jesus was anointed without measure.
In John 4:34, John 5:19, John 5:30, and John 8:26 all say that it is the Father, not Him, on in John 14:10 Jesus was in the Father and the Father was in Him this was from the time Jesus was anointed without measure the Holy Spirit when He was baptized and made the Messiah.
Jesus was and is the Word of God; John 1:14. God was in the flesh in Jesus through the Holy Spirit, just like these verses say. The beginning in John, many understand it as the beginning of creation, my understanding is the beginning of Jesus' ministry, as we see in Mark 1:1, Luke 1:2, and 1 John 1:1.
To me, Jesus was the first in the plan of God, Revelation 3:14, and everything was created in Jesus, not by Him, and all was created for Jesus and the purpose of the Father. Revelation 13:8 and 1 Peter 1:18-21.
See part 2
2 John 1:9 - Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
Whosoever transgresses, and abides (MENO) not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. Does not have God!
A person is called a transgressor that's going beyond. The Gnostics went beyond the teachings of Jesus Christ, or the doctrine of Christ. And they went beyond the teachings of the apostles. They didn't remain in the doctrine of Christ but went in another direction. John says they do not have God.
He that abides, (Present Participle), the one who is abiding continuously in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son. Uh oh! The Gnostics don't believe the Father and the Son go together, or as one. Here we go again!
Jesus said, the Father judges no man, but has given all judgement to the Son, that as all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. If you do not honor the Son, you honor not the Father who has sent Him. They go together. You cannot separate them. You cannot give the Father honor and not the Son. And you can't give the Son honor and not the Father.
John 5:18 says therefore the Jews sought to kill Him because He not only had broken the Sabbath day, but said also that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. They knew! Some might say, "Well, I wouldn't have gotten that out of that." That's because ours is in an English translation.
The way it is understood in the Middle East, when Jesus said my Father works today, and I work, He's saying the Father and I are one. So, they sought to kill Him because it says He made Himself equal to God. Jesus could have told them "No, no, you guys misunderstood me," because that's blasphemy to call Him God.
But He didn't do that, because He is God! And they sought to kill Him. So, the person who is abiding in the correct doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.
1 John 5:20 - And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
And we know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding, and this is kind of interesting. The word means to understand the spiritual things of God. God has given us understanding of the spiritual things of God.
The purpose: In order that we might know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the true God, and eternal life.
Two great statements of fact, Jesus Christ is the true God, and He is the eternal life! Now eternal life is quality of life, and extension of life. If I have eternal life right now, it means I'm going to live forever. There's no end. Does He give me that? No, He is that! He lives in me, and He is eternal. So as long as God lives, I'm going to live. The quality that God is, I'm going to experience throughout eternity. Jesus Christ is eternal life!
This is all I have for 1 John. I will be going through 2 John next, Lord willing!
1 John 4:4 says, you have already overcome them little children, because greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. So, I have overcome. It's a Perfect Tense. It's already a done deal!
1 John 5:14 - And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
That's a factual statement. He hears us. God will answer every prayer that is asked for His will to be done, guaranteed!
1 John 5:18 - We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
We know that whosoever is born of God sins not; literally, does not continue in sin, but he that is born of God keeps himself, and again the word keep in the Greek text is guard, and that wicked one, or evil one does not touch him.
There are manuscript differences. Instead of keepeth himself, the oldest manuscripts say, the one who is born of God, God keeps him, guards him, and the evil one does not touch him. The word touch is the word HAPTO, which means to fasten onto someone, to grip onto and hold onto them. Satan can touch my life, but he can't have me. He can't fasten himself to me and take me away.
1 John 5:19 - And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in wickedness. And not just wickedness, because in the Greek text it's the evil one.
1 John 4:8 - He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
He that loves not does not know God; Here's the reason: for God is love. In Verse 16, it says it again. It's the only definition in the bible for AGAPE love. God is love. The verb for of AGAPE, AGAPAO, is found everywhere in literature. It's even used in the bible to talk about a love for the world.
But the noun AGAPE is only found two other places outside of the bible in all of the Greek literature. And the noun is strictly associated with God Himself. He is love. So, if you were to ask me, what does it mean to love my neighbor? Well, it's not an action. It's God!
1 John 4:11 - Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
We are indebted. That's what the word ought means. We all know what credit card debt is. This is the same kind. God loved me so much that He sent His Son to die for me. I am indebted to my brothers and sisters in Christ to function and walk in the love of God.
1 John 4:21 - And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loves God, and notice the factual statement: he that loves God, loves his brother also. It doesn't say should. It says loves his brother also. That's a factual statement. And again, the love is AGAPE.
1 John 5:4 - For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
For whosoever is born of God overcomes the world: That's a factual statement! And this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. It's the indication of a one-time belief in Christ at that time of salvation. The moment that I put my faith in Christ; I became an overcomer. I am overcoming, and I have overcome the world. We see this in Chapter 4.
"Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee."
Blessings
I'm currently creating watercolor-style bookmarks for my Bible, and right now I'm working through the book of Ruth.
As I create these bookmarks, I've noticed how certain elements in nature. like the softness of a feather, the calm of a watercolor sky, or even the sound of a bird. can gently remind us of God's nearness. Not because they are the Holy Spirit, but because they evoke a sense of peace, comfort, and holy presence that we often associate with time spent in prayer or Scripture.
As ( Romans 14:21) reminds us, we are called to walk in sensitivity toward one another's faith. So I want to make it clear that I'm not attempting to personalize Scripture or assign new meanings to it, but simply creating visual prompts that stir the heart and reflect the beauty of living in fellowship with God.
One phrase I'd like to include is "We live in a different world, and there are three that testify in heaven." (A reference to 1 John 5:7, depending on the translation.)
That's really interesting! I didn't know the 2017 KJV revision translated into Norwegian would omit the name Jehovah entirely. I wonder what translation choices led to that. Personally, I find it meaningful when God's names are preserved. especially in study Bibles. But it's always helpful to compare versions too!
Now we know that Jehovah has been in previous editions. So I don't know if I like the new translation yet. So far I have found that quite a bit has been taken away. And to me it doesn't sound complete. As you probably know, God is a terrible God, HE IS fair. He regretted that He had created man and had to hide Himself from us, for not to destroy us. He is Almighty God and as a Christian I am a Christian, so to speak. A person who is a Christian does not want/dont need other gods. He would have put an end to us, because no man has seen God. Only in the Old Testament, if anyone sees the face of God today, it is the Lord Jesus who shows Himself. When Jesus came, He abolished the law, and that means that the old covenant is gone. Then there is no reason for us who are justified by faith to dwell on the old law or covenant. Or name for that matter. Because the OT doesn't have that meaning anymore. We live in a different world, and there are three that testify in Heaven. But the OT is good for many things, like learning from it and understanding and keeping ourselves away from: evil thoughts, murder, adultery, adultery, theft, false witness. When we talk about names. Jes 9:6 IS it Jesus, He Is today. And forever. He lives, and He says the Father and I are One. And we can, by righteousness through faith, come to the Holy Spirit, and live with Him. For there are three who bear witness in heaven. 1 John 5:6-9
For me there is One God. And the way to Him is through Jesus. No one comes to the Father except through Me, says Jesus. Today Jesus has all power in Heaven and on earth, He IS worthy.
Hope this can help you get answers and that it does not lead to confusion for you in Jesus name, Amen
2 Peter 2:19 Continued
Two things:
When the word overcome, which is the word for victory, when it is presented about a believer, it's in the Perfect Tense. In 1 John 4:4, John's been talking about the spirit of antichrist in the world, and he says you are of God little children, and you have overcome them. Not should. You have already. Because greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.
1 John 5:4 says, for whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. Again, has overcome, Perfect Tense.
And also, in the book of Revelation, in Chapters 2 and 3, the seven letters to the churches in Asia, to each church the Lord gives His warning and says to them, to the one who overcome, that is, the sins and problems in the church, I will give them the crown of life. To each one He says that.
Well, that's the way it reads in English, to the one who overcomes. It sounds like it's a challenge. But it's literally a Present Participle in the Greek. To the ones who are already overcoming. It's not a challenge. The point of the true believers that are within these fellowships, they are already overcoming. And they are the ones who will respond to what Christ had to say in His warnings. The people who do not belong to Christ will not.
If I may offer up a different perspective on prayer, I read over the scriptures you gave and the message that Jesus is presenting to His disciples have nothing to do with prayer being answered or not being answered. In John 13:12-20, we are given the purpose of the foot washing. In context, this message was given as an example of service and how His people should serve Him. This would also apply to believers today.
There are several teachings in the bible on prayer, and out of all the teachings, there's one place in the bible that seems to be a summary statement of all the teachings on prayer. It is found in 1 John 5:14-15 which reads, "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
The term "we have" in Verse 15 is present, ongoing. When we pray for something for His will to be done, we have our answer already, now and continuing in the future. God answers every prayer when we ask according to His will.
When we ask for the Lord's will to be done, we are expressing our submission to Him with whatever He does. We are to let go of the situation knowing that we have the answer to our prayer. Whatever it is, it's His answer!
I share this not as an argument, but to show that we as believers can know without a doubt that God will answer every prayer that we ask of Him when we ask for His will to be done in whatever it is we are asking.
Blessings to you in Christ!
Giving God Thanksgiving not be a tragedy.
God blessing me with the Holy Spirit what I've done stands and is just making a way becoming me. -1 John 5:8 KJV
Interpetation Spoken and Written by REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY
The scripture states that the Father, son, and Holy spirit are three in one, The revelation is that the name of the father, son and the Holly spirit is Jesus.
Romans 8:26
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
1 John 5:15
"And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."
In John 5:38-40 we have Jesus speaking to the Pharisees.
And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
Jesus is referring to the old testament scriptures. The new testament haven't been recorded yet.
I mention this because the old testament/covenant established under the Levitical priesthood was a foreshadowing of the new covenant that Christ brought in on the cross.
So you see, the Gospel of salvation is mentioned throughout the Bible starting with Genesis. Most notably ( Genesis 3:15 )
You may be able to parallel John 5:38-40 with Hebrews 10:5-10.
Here's just a few notable verses.
Genesis 22:16-18.
Galatians 3:6-9.
Galatians 3:16-19.
John 3:16-18.
Acts 4:12.
Romans 10:9-11.
Ephesians 2:8-10.
Revelation 22:17.
I hope this helps.
God bless you.
There's a lot I'd like to say but perhaps specific issues that crop up can be dealt with in continuing dialogue.
I feel a need to emphasize that human acceptance or rejection should never affect your witness. Hear me out here-it certainly does not mean that we are; as Paul Simon said in one of his songs "I am a rock; I am an island" in the second stanza and the third
I've built walls
A fortress deep and mighty
That none may penetrate
I have no need of friendship, friendship causes pain
It's laughter and it's loving I disdain
I am a rock I am an island
I ask the monitors here allow this part of a secular song to illustrate how; as scripture says we can harden ourselves
Proverbs 18:19 states
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
So unforgiveness is something we need the Lord to remove for efeffectiveness. Also we need to allow ourselves to be righteously angry with the enemy of our souls (only through the Spirit NOT our own anger); as well as with injustices in general and the harm inflicted by others sin and the sins themselves. Remember that the whole world is under the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19).
Fellowship is important along with our own personal walk. He desires us to fulfill the Great Commission and use the gifts He has given us within the Body of Christ. It is helpful to get input from others of what our gifts are as they often can see it much clearer than we can.
I would also emphasize that ministering to others brings us healing; and the same goes for prayer. Remember NOT going out there or sins of omission are as important as those we commit. Others need the input you have as a part of the Body of believers.
Hope a few of these things are edifying.
Agape; RIch P
Hebrews 3:6 Continued:
Paul said in Ephesians Chapter 2, and along with Ephesians Chapter 4 that the Holy Spirit has been given to us as a guarantee until the redemption happens, when Christ comes for us. 1 John 5:18-20 says the one who has been born of God, Satan cannot touch him, because God keeps him. 1 Peter 1:5 says we are those who have been saved by the power of God, and we are kept by the power of God unto salvation.
It's His faithfulness. I'm saved today because I have Christ in me, not because I act a certain way or don't act a certain way. It's because I have Christ in me. And because I have Christ in me, I'm going to make it all the way to the end, no matter what goes on because I'm a child of God.
But some people use that verse, that phrase, that conditional clause, to show that it's possible for someone to lose their salvation. "If you don't make it all the way, you lose your salvation. Or if you quit." But that's an expression of not understanding what salvation is. I'm not saved because I decide I want to be saved. I'm saved because I'm born of the Spirit of God. Now that God's Spirit is in me, if I don't want to be saved, something's got to be done with His Spirit. I hope this makes sense? We can't just quit!
And then you'll have those who will say that if you sin, then you lose your salvation. Well, we've all lost it then, haven't we? If that's the case, nobody is ever going to be saved. Some say that because you say you cannot lose your salvation, you are giving Christians a license to sin, that you can do whatever you want because you're never going to lose your salvation.
1 John 5:11-12 reads And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
If you trusted and received Jesus you have eternal life right now!
John 14:6 reads "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and THE LIFE: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Those are the words of Jesus who cannot lie!
Do you believe him?
If so here's Paul.
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 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. Romans 10:8-11.
I hope this helps.
God bless
I give you this verse to consider for part 8
John 5:23
"That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him."
Thanks again, Ronald. These are good things to study as long as we accept the authority of Scripture as that which determines our belief. Blessings to you tonight and always.
Revelation 13:7-8 is saying that all who dwell upon the earth will worship (the Beast) not God, for they are all those whose names are not written in the Book of Life. Perhaps this is not what you meant to convey.
Later I will go through those verses in this part on the topic you highlight.
I am so glad that God will supply for us in Christ through the Holy Spirit the power to endure to the end and cause us to persevere in faith throughout our life. We, ourselves would not be able to do this. Our salvation is of God from start to finish! Praise the Lord!
Let us pray that we come to unity of faith with sound doctrine taught in Scripture concerning all matters of our God, our salvation, our future. I remember reading that we have eternal life now and in the future. Let me pull up that verse.
John 5:24
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."
John 11:25
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live"
John 6:47
"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life."
Eternal life is both a present and future possession of believers. How amazing and comforting that is. We who are in Christ are already raised to life while alive now, but will also be resurrected bodily at Jesus' return to have our salvation become complete and eternal.
Thanks for posting this series on the Last Supper Discourse.
In Part 2 you said several ideas that I don't find supported by the text or the teachings of Scripture concerning Jesus Christ.
In the passage that speaks of "giving eternal life" it states that Jesus was given power and authority by the Father AND that "he" (Jesus) gives eternal life. It is true that it is God who gives eternal life, but Scripture states clearly that both the Father and the Son, Jesus Christ give eternal life --- John 10:28; 1 John 5:11-13; 20; John 6:27, 54; 1 John 1:2.
John 17:2
"even as You (the Father) gave Him (Jesus, the Son)authority over all flesh, that to all whom You (the Father) have given Him (Jesus), He (Jesus)may give eternal life."
When we look at the truth of this verse it clearly states that Jesus give eternal life to all the Father gives Him.
To say of this verse that it is the Father who gives life is not exegeting this verse properly and it diminishes the deity of Jesus.
Also, you state that it was through the Holy Spirit that Jesus knew the Father's will and what to say. But this is not what Scriptures say. In John 14:31 it says that Jesus does all that the Father commands Him (Jesus) to do. No mention of the Holy Spirit here. John 5:19 says that Jesus does all that He sees the Father do. So He knows what the Father's will is and what God is says and does through His own divinity and not through the Holy Spirit.
In His human nature, Jesus relied on the Holy Spirit to be obedient to the Father, but His divinity, being unified with the Father and the Holy Spirit, knew all the will of God, all that the Father does, all that the Father says.
John 10:15 says that "even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep."
To speak as though Jesus needed the Holy Spirit to know what He was to do or say denies His divinity and oneness with the Father. See part 2
Part 4.
4. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
Jesus tells His Father He has finished the work that the Father gave Him to do. Jesus was obedient to the Father in everything; He lived a life doing the Father's will, not His own, John 4:34, John 5:30. Jesus glorified His Father by living a sinless life, fulfilling the law, and completed the works of the Father by the Spirit of God, John 14:10.
He manifested His Father's love, goodness, justice, mercy, and truth, as Jesus in John 14:7-11 told the disciples, if you have seen me, you have seen the Father, I am in the Father, and the Father in me, the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Later in this chapter, Jesus says more than once, "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me and I in thee, that they also may be one in us', "that they may be one, even as we are one".
Jesus knows He must face His crucifixion, and stating that He has glorified the Father and fulfilled His work is not a boast but a reflection of His love and dedication to God's purpose. Jesus prays this prayer in front of His disciples to demonstrate the importance of obedience, emphasizing that all we do is to glorify God.
See part 5.
3, And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
This is one powerful verse: "And this is life eternal." This was the primary purpose of Jesus' mission: the immortality of the Father came to earth, manifested in Jesus, and eternal life which God the Father alone possesses, 1 Timothy 6:16.
God was revealed in the flesh of His only Son, Jesus. What is eternal was manifested in the world and is now available to us. This eternal life is given that we might know the only true God and His Son Jesus Christ, whom His Father sent, 1 John 4:7-16.
There are 38 times in the gospels where Jesus said God sent Him, the most expressive is in John 7:16-29. When Jesus was sent, it was first for the lost sheep of the house of Israel, Matthew 15:24, at the fullness of time, for those under the law, Galatians 4:4-5. This was part of God's plan from the beginning and happened at the fullness of time.
In 1 John 5:20, John says Jesus gave them understanding that they should know the Son of God, the Messiah has come, and that we should know the true God, and we are in Him, the true God, and in the Son of Him that is the only God from whom eternal life comes. Paul says the same in 1 Corinthians 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. God, the Father, of whom are all things, "of whom are" Greek ek" or "ex" indicates the origin or source. "Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, Greek dia ho, he, to pas, on the account of Jesus are all things.
See part 4.
Part 2.
2, As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
Jesus confirms that the Father has given Him power over all humanity and that, through His redemptive work, God grants eternal life to all those whom He has given to Jesus. Jesus understood the Scriptures, including what had been said about Him and what He would do and suffer, as illustrated in Isaiah 53:1-12. This indicates that all of humanity has been entrusted to
Christ, beginning with the lost sheep of Israel, and that anyone who believes in Jesus will not perish but will have eternal life.
This was God's plan to make salvation possible, man had to pay the penalty, the only way humanity can be reconciled to Him, as indicated in John 14:6. The word " power " is derived from the Greek word " exousia, " meaning authority. Through the Spirit of God, He granted His power and authority to Jesus Christ over humanity, John 3:34-35, John 5:26-27, Acts 10:38.
The Holy Spirit enabled Jesus to speak the words the Father had given him to speak, John 14:24. After God raised Jesus from the dead, the Father placed all heaven and earth under Jesus, Matthew 28:18, Ephesians 1:19-23, and Philippians 2:9-11.
Jesus's mission was to do the will of the Father. In John 5:19-23, Jesus says He can do nothing by Himself, same in John 5:30. God has committed all judgment unto the Son. The word committed is the Greek word didmi, to give, to grant, to bestow; it was deliberately transferred to Jesus to do the will of the Father who sent Him.
This highlights God's plan being fulfilled, emphasizing Jesus' role as the Messiah appointed and given authority by the Father.
See part 3.
May God in Jesus name give us understanding. Amen!
1 John 5:6-9