Results 1 - 4 of 4
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | It is the (s)Spirit that gives life?Both | John 6:63 | Aixen7z4 | 150644 | ||
I agree. It is important that with breath in our bodies we have biological life. The fact of it is obvious, I think, and trite, compared to the other topic. While it is true, I am saying that it is not what Jesus was talking about. Compared to eternal life, which is what he was talking about, it is minor. The fact that the first Adam had breath in his nostrils, and physical life, is true, and somewhat important. The fact that the second Adam gives eternal life is of a higher order. The fact is that the Holy Spirit is active in the process (John 16; 1 Corinthians 6, 1 Corinthians 12, etc.). You will agree that a person can be physically alive and yet spiritually dead. For example, “She that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth“ (1 Timothy 5) and “He has made you alive, who were once dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked (Ephesians 2). But how do we know which kind of life Jesus was talking about? Context. Context. Context. It is what he had been talking about in verses 40, 47, and 54. Eternal life. This is the will of him who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes on him should have everlasting life (v. 40). Truly, truly, I say to you, He who believes on me has everlasting life (v. 47). Whoever partakes of my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life (v. 54). We do not suppose that he has lowered the level of discourse and is referring to physical life in verse 63. That is apparently why many translators have him saying: “It is the Spirit that gives life“. But we may also entertain the possibility of a double entendre here, in the fact that the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:12) also gives life (Hebrews 4:12) to the word of God. You may understand better now why I asked the question in the first place? It is the Spirit who must bring these words to life and help us to understand what that scripture means. As The Message puts it, “Sheer muscle and willpower don't make anything happen“. These fingers acting on these keys will profit nothing. The Spirit of God must reveal the meaning hidden in the word of God. I was about to post this when I noticed what our brother Hank has written, concerning your health. I wanted to join him in wishing you well and in praying for you. In that moment, I wondered whether all of this discussion was important at all, compared to your health. But I recalled a meeting I had recently with one brother whose cancer was in remission and another in whom it was spreading. One of them is saved, and a pastor, while the other has no memory of a conversion experience, as he told me later. I felt I should rather thank the Lord for your salvation. It reminded me to pray for the man who is healthy but unsaved, and to trust he takes in the gospel that he took home that day. But I will pray for you and for that pastor also. Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers. |
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2 | It is the (s)Spirit that gives life?Both | John 6:63 | Ray | 150665 | ||
Hi Aixen7z4, You wrote, "These fingers acting on these keys will profit nothing." Those words reminded me of Luke 11:20 where it speaks of the "finger of God" and the companion verse of Matthew 12:28 where it speaks of the (s)Spirit of God. Here again we have the possibility of power in the spirit of God. Likewise, in comparing Luke 11:13 where the heavenly Father gives the (h)Holy (s)Spirit to those who ask Him; with Matthew 7:11 where the Father who is in heaven gives what is good to those who ask Him. Are we given the Spirit Himself or the good gifts or both? I wanted to thank you also for your thoughts and prayers. From the heart, Ray |
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3 | It is the (s)Spirit that gives life?Both | John 6:63 | Aixen7z4 | 150716 | ||
I would say, "Both". That is my answer to the question: "Are we given the Spirit Himself or the good gifts or both?" Actually, your verses took my mind to Romans 8: “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (v. 32). He who did not leave us without a comforter but sent to us his Spirit, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? With him, and through him, he gives us comfort, and assurance of salvation, and every good and perfect gift, and all spiritual blessings. Doesn’t he? And these lead me to Philippians 2, and the list of blessings it begins with. Since there are all of these things, consolation in Christ, comfort of love, fellowship of the Spirit, bowels and mercies, fulfill my joy, that we be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. We read and practiced this in a meeting today, and it was such a blessing. We practiced self talk: “I do not know everything”. “I acknowledge the Holy Spirit, and his teaching ministry in the lives of my brethren”. “I am willing to listen, and to consider what they say”. “I am not sure I am humble enough”. “I will listen”. And we practiced speaking the truth in love, and listening in love, looking for points of agreement, rejoicing in the truth, hoping all things (looking for more good from others). People admitted it was hard, almost against human nature, but we did it. In that, we were of one accord and one mind. And there was this sense that God was rejoicing over us. I just wanted to share that. May the very God of peace sanctify you wholly. And I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. |
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4 | It is the (s)Spirit that gives life?Both | John 6:63 | Ray | 150739 | ||
Hi Aixen7z4, I rejoice with you in your good meeting. It is good when men and women of kindred spirit and of one mind and soul get together and study the things of God. God is glorified in it. Your quoting of Romans 8:32 and combining or comparing God giving His own Son and also giving us another equals One --even His Spirit-- is noteworthy. I think also that Philippians 1:19 speaks of the provision of the Spirit/ of Jesus Christ. And personally, I have a penciled in "standing firm in one Spirit/" for Philippians 1:27 noting that it is a different word than the "united in spirit" found in Philippians 2:2. It is good talking with you and I appreciate your thoughts. Romans 8:32, "He who did not spare His own Son/, but delivered Him up for us all, how will *He not also with (Him) freely give us all things?" Luke 11:13, "If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly *Father give the holy spirit [my interpretation] to those who ask (Him)?" John 16:14, "He shall glorify Me; for He/ shall take of Mine; and shall disclose [it] to you. 15 All things that the *Father has are (Mine); therefore I said, that He takes of Mine, and will disclose [it] to you." Contrast John 4:25b, "when that *One comes, (He) will declare all things to us. 26 Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am He."" The /,*, and ( ) are mine for comparisons. From the heart, Ray |
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