Tag Archives: John 3:16

Christian

A Gift

Salvation is a gift of God.

Romans 6:23 KJV
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Like any other gift it matters how you receive it and if you decide to keep it.

When a gift is offered you have to receive it. This is known as acceptance. Do you accept Jesus as the Son of God? Do you accept his sacrifice on the cross as an offering for your salvation? John 3:16, John 3:18, Hebrews 7:26-27, Hebrews 9:14

Have you been baptized in water for the remission of sins in the name of Jesus Christ?

Acts 22:16 KJV
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. See also Acts 2:38.

Have you decided to keep your salvation?

1 John 1:7-9 KJV
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. [8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

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Christian

Do You Love Me?

Hebrews 8:10 KJV
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

The only way to learn the law is through hearing. You can hope to hear all you need to know in Church or you can read the Holy Bible for yourself. I recommend both. Read the Holy Bible and use it to study and verify what you hear from every speaker.

A great place to start is Exodus 20 and the Ten Commandments. To fully comprehend the law you’ll need to read both the Old and the New Testament of the Holy Bible.

What laws then should I follow? Follow what the Lord writes on your heart. What he’s written on mine I am obliged to share.

In Matthew 28:19-20 KJV, Jesus said, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The Ten Commandments are valid, present day Commandments of Jesus. In fact, Jesus taught them. Mark 10:19, Luke 18:20 He also instructed that mercy and love are to be a part of the law. John 8:7

The law did have two significant changes between the Old and New Testament. Here are those changes God made to the law:

  • The dietary laws were revoked in Peter’s dream opening the Gospel to the Gentiles. Acts 11:9
  • Sacrificial law or animal sacrifice for sin ceased at the death of Christ on the Cross. John 3:16, Hebrews 10:12

Do you love Jesus enough to keep his Commandments? How much do you actually value his sacrifice?

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Christian

Things That Make You Go Hmmm.

A few days ago on the Jim Baker show, Jim said God has shown me that great and terrible things are about to take place on the Earth, but I have prayed to the Lord that these things don’t come to pass.

Talk about a no lose comment. Essentially, either I’m a great prophet or God listens closely to my prayers. I don’t see the downside unless it’s a lie (my personal guess) and that God will surely judge.

Another pastor on a different show was saying God’s love is unconditional, all you have to do is … .

Now I don’t believe God’s love is unconditional. If he doesn’t care what you do, his love is really worthless. I think the comment just shows the stupidity of the people who profess God’s love as unconditional. They don’t want rules, and religion has become a dirty word.

I believe the speaker went on to say all you have to do is say this simple prayer. I just thought this comment was funny and wanted to point out the hypocrisy. His love is unconditional, but oh here’s a condition.

Between us the first condition is believe. John 3:16.

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Christian

I Sense Much Fear

Why are people afraid of the word religion? Could it be they’re afraid of the word duty? Does replacing the word religion with the word relationship mean you get to define the relationship yourself rather than let God define it? Jesus said, if you love me keep my commandments. John 14:15.

The Bible also says in Luke 17:10 KJV So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

Why do people want unconditional love? Could it be because they are afraid of consequences? Read John 3:16. It is the first condition of Christianity: Believe.

Heaven and Hell are real and we will all be judged.

Matthew 16:27 KJV
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

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Christian, Inspirational

Tell of His Love

If you’re a reader of my blog, you might know I’m against certain interpretations of God’s love. I will say again, there is no such thing as unconditional love.

Preach and teach the truth. At it’s very heart is John 3:16. Jehovah gave his Son and Jesus willingly laid down his life for us. Hence when we speak of God’s love there’s no reason to exaggerate.

1 John 4:16 KJV …God is love…

Exodus 34:14 KJV For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:

Isaiah 49:15-16 KJV Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. [16] Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

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Christian, Inspirational

We Can’t Begin This Way

Can you build a healthy relationship starting with a lie?

Today’s teachers say it’s not about religion it’s all about relationship. But the honest truth is Christianity is a religion. It is your relationship with God. Do you keep his Commandments? Do you read the Bible, attend Church, sing praises unto him? These are all acts of a healthy relationship with Jesus that are parts of a healthy Christian faith.

Telling millenials and Gen Z it’s about relationship not religion and that God loves unconditionally may gain more followers. It’s what they like to hear. It’s what they need to hear. But can you build a solid, strong relationship with our God based on a lie?

Isn’t it enough to ask millennials or anyone to follow the Lord Jesus, be baptized for the remission of sins, and teach them how to walk in the light? Preach John 3:16 and teach the whole gospel. God’s love is incredible, but it’s not unconditional. Heaven and Hell are both real. They are eventualities to how you live your life, i.e. how strong was your relationship with Jesus.

Once you’ve introduced someone to the love of God tell them how you live out your religion. Tell them about your own relationship with Jehovah, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

Let the foundation be truth and the fruit Holy.

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Christian, Inspirational

And Now You Know…

The Bible advises us to rightly divide the word in 2 Timothy 2:15.

Part of understanding a verse is context, but part is comprehending all of the words actually written.

There are many today that say God’s love is unconditional. I disagree and here’s why: they are misinformed. Perhaps it is innocent optimism, but I think it is a deceitful lie that causes much more harm than good.

Read John 3:16 KJV 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.

Can you spot the condition? You have to believe to be saved.

Read 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 KJV Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing ; and I will receive you, [18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Can you spot the condition? Touch not the unclean thing and then you will be received as a son or daughter.

Read Psalm 31:24 KJV Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

Can you spot the condition? Trick question. I think there are two. With effort on your part be courageous and additionally hope in the Lord and the Lord will strengthen your heart.

Context is important, but in most cases the Gospel applies to us today, just as it did to those living thousands of years ago when it was first given. When you read the Bible don’t cherry pick. Examine the verse to see what it really says in it’s entirety. There’s a blessing of God. Awesome. But look and see if God expects something of you in return.

Don’t miss out cause you’ve heard or latched on to only half of the story.

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Christian, Inspirational

Believe

Many preachers and teachers of the gospel claim God’s love is unconditional.

Why would you want a God who claims to love you, but doesn’t care what you do?

These teachers simply don’t understand love. Love says do better. It says stop doing things that harm both me and you. The gospel says that if you don’t keep his Commandments there will be consequences. His Commandments are established to make our lives better and as guidelines for a stronger, healthier relationship with God.

When you hear a preacher say, Christianity isn’t about reading the Bible, it isn’t about keeping rules and regulations, it isn’t even about attending Church, it’s about relationship. Run. Find a new congregation.

Relationship is reading the Holy Bible, it is keeping his Commandments, it’s about worship in his house and at home. Love is made of truth and honor. There is no such thing as unconditional love.

If you’re new to Christianity read John 3:16. It’s the first condition. Believe.

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Christian, Inspirational

Doer

I just heard on Three Cosmic Messages Earth’s Final Conflict, “We do not follow God’s Commandments in order to be saved, but because we are saved.” I have heard a similar message before: “We are not saved by our best efforts”, “Jesus finished the work on the cross.”

To be frank, these statements are misleading. In fact they aren’t far from the false doctrine “once saved, always saved”. They imply there is nothing we have to do on our part.

I’m not convinced Jesus is finished working. If he were finished, why do we yet pray?

Jesus dying on the cross is an offer of salvation. What must we do? Accept by believing in accordance with John 3:16, be baptized by immersion in water in the name of Jesus or in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Mark 16:16.

What else must we do to be saved? What does the Bible say?

Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Romans 2:13 KJV (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

And let’s not forget 1 John 1:9 and Proverbs 28:13. If we err and sin these verses instruct us on how to be free.

Finally, with belief, we are saved by our best efforts in Christ who gives us both strength and guidance that we may walk in the Light. And when we need help with our efforts, we call upon the Lord. Roman’s 10:13.

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Christian, Inspirational

On His Behalf

It is very dangerous to speak on behalf of God. If you say, “God said …” and he did not, you are flirting with disaster and perhaps damnation.

God will not be made a liar.

Even saying something like “God loves you he really does” may be dubious. The truth: it could be true and it can have a strong sales aspect to new converts. However, it could be false. Certainly Esau is not the only person God ever hated.

To be safe when you want to quote God, quote him from the Holy Bible. His word is true and worthy of repetition.

John 3:16-21 KJV
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. [17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. [18] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [19] And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. [20] For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. [21] But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

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