Results 221 - 240 of 532
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Robert Nicholson Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
221 | A Man In Need. | John 3:1 | Robert Nicholson | 62830 | ||
Greetings brother Lourdes: Amen! "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the son of man be lifted up" John 3:14 "must be lifted up" It was imperative that the Lord Jesus be lifted up as the sin bearer upon the cross. There was no other choice! The serpent refers back to Gen. 3:14 and is a symbol of sin judged and the brass speaks of divine judgment. As you have mentioned this is a type of Christ bearing that awful load upon the cross. Think of the darkness and the cry of our redeemer "My God! My God! Why has thou forsaken me?" as God laid our sins upon him. Isaiah 53:5 Truly we can say "Man of sorrows what a name For the Son of God who came Ruined sinners to reclaim! Hallelujah! what a Saviour! Peace in his precious name Robert |
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222 | "Born-again Christian" redundant? | John 3:3 | Robert Nicholson | 33014 | ||
Brother Hank: Brother Hank John 3:5 is a verse which has been used by the RC and the Church of Christ to argue the need of baptism as part of being born again. Needless to say I have argued against this since the word of God has made it abundantly clear that we have eternal life the moment we rest in Christ. However, in studying the verse, I find that according to Strong's Concordance "water" in verse 5 of John 3 is indeed literal water. For years I accepted the view that the water was the word of God which ties in with John 5:24 However, if we look at the context we find that Jesus in explaining the new birth to Nicodemas is comparing natural and spiritual. That which is born of the flesh is flesh That which is born of the Spirit is spirit" V.6 It would appear in verse 6 he is comaparing natural birth to spiritual rebirth in response to Nicodemas In V.4 who is incredulous at the idea of rebirth and asks "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother,s womb and be born, can he?" John 3:4 NASB The emphasis by the Lord Jesus is on being born of the Spirit and in V. 8 describes the awsome mystery of His entrance into the heart of an unsaved person. Again the Lord Jesus resorts to natural elements to decribe spiritual reality. Nicodemas "the wind bloweth where it wishes and you can hear the sound of it, but do not know from whence it comes from and where it is going" In other words we can hear the wind, we can feel the wind and we can see the results of the wind on whatever it passes over and yet we cannot see its source. "So is every one that is born of the Spirit." We will see the change and as the person who is born of the Spirit we will feel the change within and yet it is almost impossible to explain the miracle which is wrought within by the Spirit of God. I may be totally wrong, but it seems to me that Jesus was explaining to Nicodemas that we are all born into this world at odds with God and that we must be born from above to be right with God. Just my humble thoughts. Robert |
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223 | "Born-again Christian" redundant? | John 3:3 | Robert Nicholson | 33015 | ||
Dear brother The term born-again Christian is redundant since you cannot be a Christain unless you are born again. A Christian is a Christian, all others are counterfiet. Robert |
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224 | what does water refer to? | John 3:5 | Robert Nicholson | 57287 | ||
Greetings New Creature: When I was a young Christian we were taught that the "water" of verse 5 is the Word of God. In Eph 5:26 we have the term "washing of water by the word" However, I believe it could refer to the physical birth. This is a view which I favor. In verse 4 Nicodemus who does seem to understand what it means to "be born from above" V3. refers to the natural birth V4. In Verse 5 the Lord Jesus parallels these thoughts: Born of water and born of the Spirit. In verse 6 we have the same parallel: born of the flesh and born of the Spirit. Nevertheless, in verse 7 Jesus emphasis the need to be "born from above" In verse 8 Jesus uses the metaphor of the wind to explain how the Holy Spirit works. As we continue on in chp. 3 the emphasis continues on being born again by believing in the Work of Christ. I do not think that the water of Verse 5 refers to believer's baptism which is not the topic. In verse 15 and 16 the Lord Jesus makes it abundantly clear that the new birth is available to "whosoever believeth in him". It is interesting to notice the Amplified rendering" Exept a man be born of water even Spirit". This rendering would should the Holy Spirit symbolized by the word. When we look at the message of the Gospel presented by the Lord Jesus in John 3 and in John's gospel we know that the Spirit of God applies the word of God to our soul and leads us to faith in Christ at which time we are born again. I am aware that there are differing opinions on this verse which is sometimes used by some to support baptism by water as necessary for salvation. Robert |
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225 | Born from above, born of the Spirit? | John 3:6 | Robert Nicholson | 27816 | ||
I am not posing this question to cause conflict with fellow Christians relative their views on the Holy Spirit. In talking to Nicodemus, Jesus made it abundantly clear "Except a man/woman be born again( born from above) he cannot see the kingdom of God." According to John 3:6 Jesus made it clear that this new birth is when a person "is born of the Spirit.(Holy Spirit) What does this mean? It means that God will move within the believer on a permanent basis by his Spirit. This happens the moment a person receives "everlasting life" upon believing John 3:16. Since the Holy Spirit of God is a person, we cannot receive him in part John 3:34 When we are saved we are indwelt or sealed by the Holy Spirit who will provide us with the power we need in our lives. We read in 1 John 4:4- "you are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world." AMPLIFIED Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 As we grow in Christ, the Holy Spirit will direct us in the path of God if we are willing. We are exhorted: (a) Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the [Holy] Spirit;" 1 Thess. 5:19 (b) "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." Eph. 4:30 Would I be right in suggesting that the scripture teaches us that in order to be filled with the Spirit and to know his power in his life, that such power will be directly related to our willingness to allow him to work? In other words as Christians sealed by the Holy Spirit at our spiritual birth in Christ, we can "quench" the Holy Spirit by resisting or suppressing his power in my life and we can "grieve" the Holy Spirit by wilful disobedience against him. He is the potter, we are the clay. |
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226 | How does a person get into the spirit? | John 3:6 | Robert Nicholson | 143624 | ||
In our natural state we cannot get unto the Spirit or build a relationship with God. In Romans 3:11 we read "there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. In other words our sin has made us dead to God spiritually and it is only God who can make us alive in Christ. Jesus in talking with Nicodemus made it clear: "that which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not, that I said unto you, you must be born again" (John 3:6-7) We can only know God through Christ. We must place faith in the finished work of Christ upon the cross as the only way of salvation. It is Christ who brings us into a family relationship with God. "Jesus said Iam the way, the truth and the life; no one comes unto the father but by me. (John 14:6) |
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227 | Is not Love The Greatest Commandment? | John 3:16 | Robert Nicholson | 31475 | ||
Dear Lamplight: Greetings from snow covered Ontario Canada. Jesus in answering the Pharisees as to which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus said, "you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and foremost commandment. And the second is like it, you shall love your neighbour as yourself" (Matt. 21:37 to 39) We must have the love of God in our heart first and then we will be able by his grace to love our neighbour. Would you not agree that the love of the Saviour himself was demonstrated in his compassion, his kindness, concern, sensitivity and truth. His greatest act of love was when he offered himself a sacrifice unto God for our sins, that we who are so unloveable might be forgiven. The love of God and of Christ is pure and unconditional toward us. He reveals to us our need and unworthiness before him in addition to the great provision which he accomplished for us on the cross. What I am trying to say, is that I would not be loving to my neighbor if I withheld the truth from him. It is a sad thing to live day by day with fellow travellers to eternity without warning them of the downward road they are travelling on. I agree that we turn people away with argument and needless legalism. We must "live Christ" and look for his guidance in our dealings with others who have not yet come to know him as saviour. Paul in speaking to Timothy said, the servant of God must not strive" It is amazing joy and yet an awesome responsibilty to those who are saved by the Grace of God, that we are intended to reflect Christ to those around us. Arguing "religion" will never bring a soul to Christ. Spreading the good news by our example and message will allow God to bring sinners to himself by his Spirit. We have nothing in ourselves to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. I think in fairness to faithful believers, that at times unbelievers criticize them because the truth hurts. I believe the Love of God and the Holiness of God are equal. That is way Calvary was an absolute necessity when we consider that God in all his love can never overlook sin. It was on the cross where "heavens love and heavens justice met" May the love of God fill our hearts A sinner saved by his grace Robert |
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228 | Is not Love The Greatest Commandment? | John 3:16 | Robert Nicholson | 31544 | ||
Dear Lamplight: It is wonderful to leave ourselves in our Father's care since we have confidence that he loves us. The Lord Jesus reminded us that his eye is on even the sparrow, how much more on those whom he has redeemed by his precious blood. How true are your words, that after he saves us, he works on us from the inside out. I read a book by Max Lucado "Just Like Jesus". A quote from the book inspired me "God loves you just the way you are, but he refuses to leave you there". In our Christian live we are encouraged "to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ". When we were born again we are placed into the family of God by adoption forever. However, like in many large families at times siblings can be insensitive to one another. In spite of this we should have an inner love for those who belong to Christ. Blessings to you in his precious name. Robert |
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229 | Does God soften hearts, or do we? | John 3:16 | Robert Nicholson | 43553 | ||
brother searcher: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9. I do not think that we as fellow travellers to eternity cannot create one anxious thought in the heart of a lost sinner. However, I believe that God uses his people as instruments to provide the words which he will use in softing a hard deceitful heart. Paul writes "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase" 1 Cor. 3:6 In this verse we see that there is planting and there is watering, but it is only God who can give life. "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." 2 Cor. 4:7 I think the amazing thing is, that God has entrusted to us his word and his gospel message and he expects us to spread the word that he might bless it as he has promised. Robert |
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230 | how to be baptize'd do you need holy | John 3:16 | Robert Nicholson | 43844 | ||
The order given in the scripture is as follows: Repentance, which is a change of mind about ourselves and our sin. In other words we agree with God that we are helpless and sinful in need of his cleansing. At this point the Holy Spirit will reveal to us the truth that Christ has died for our sins upon the cross. When we put our faith or trust in his finished work we are born from above or born of the Spirit (John 3:6, 16) The Holy Spirit enters our heart and makes us new creatures in Christ (2 Cor.5:17 At this point we are forgiven and we have eternal life. Believers baptism was commanded by the Lord Jesus and practiced by all who were saved. Acts 2:41. Baptism is outwardly symbolic of what has happen inward. In other words when I am baptised I am proclaiming to all, that I belong to Christ and that by his grace I intend to live for him for the rest of my life. He is my Lord and my saviour. We must remember that the Holy Spirit is a person and that he indwells the believer the moment they are born again. To see his work in our lives we must be willing to submit to the word of God and allow him to lead, teach and protect us. May God bless you in your life Robert |
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231 | Is Hell everlasting?Rev 20:15 | John 3:16 | Robert Nicholson | 50503 | ||
Greetings Grace and Truth: I would like to make a brief reference to the English word hell which I believe as used in the scriptures has at least 3 meanings. In Luke 16:19-31 Jesus speaks of two men in life and two men after death. I do not believe this is a parable since the names of both men are given. The word hell in this passage is the word "hades" which is defined as the place of departed spirits. We find in this account that the wicked are in concious torment and the righteous are comforted in Abraham's bosum and that between the two sections there is "a great gulf fixed" which does not allow movement from one to the other. "Hades" is also used in reference to the Lord Jesus after his death. "For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption." Psalm 16:10 and Acts 2:27 We know that after three days the Lord Jesus was raised from the dead. In 2 Peter 2:4 we read concerning the angels that sinned "For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;" The word for hell in this verse is "tartarovw" which is defined as the lowest place of the wicked dead. It is noteworthy that this verse tells us they are reserved for judgment which would suggest this is not their final place for eternity. The Lord Jesus warned of hell or "gevenna" which refers to the "Gehenna of fire" which was the ever burning garbage dump South of Jerusalem. This is fitting imagery to the Lake of Fire of Rev. 20 We must be careful to differentiate between the meanings of the word hell when we discuss it. In Rev 20:15 we read of the final judgment for those who have rejected Christ. The "second death", the lake of fire mean eternal separation from God forever. We see from Rev 20:13 that hades is emptied at the final judgement. Is the second death forever? We read of those who have rejected Christ and received the mark of the beast: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. I believe that the Bible teaches that we will be either with the Lord or separated from him forever. The Lord Jesus gave his life that "we should not perish, but have everlasting life" John 3:16 Robert |
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232 | Can a christian go to heaven | John 3:16 | Robert Nicholson | 52515 | ||
Greetings Ann: If a person is a Christian or in other words one who has been born into the family of God by faith in Christ, there is nothing which can separate us from the love of God. Romans 8:35-39 The only sin which will keep a person out of heaven is rejection of the gift of eternal life which God gives to each one puts faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross. Divorce in the life of a Christian spoils the picture which marriage represents which is the realationship between Christ and the church. However, there are many things which we do as Christians which are equally distressing and yet we place the keeping of our souls in Christ who said "I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish" John 10:28 Robert |
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233 | How to go to heaven and avoid hell? | John 3:16 | Robert Nicholson | 63763 | ||
Brother Hank: Amen! "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;" Heb. 6:19 Praise our Savior's Name Robert |
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234 | What about John 14:15? | John 3:16 | Robert Nicholson | 63901 | ||
Dear brother welldigger: John 14:15 I believe is teaching us that we cannot become a new creature of Christ without having the desire to keep his commandments. In 1 John 5:1-3 we read the true signs of someone who love God"For this is the love of God, and we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous". The Lord Jesus said "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matt.11:29 In John 10: The Lord Jesus emphasizes the security of those in him "I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish..."v.28 , but he also tells us "my sheep hear my voice and they follow me" v. 27 If I profess to be his sheep and do not hear his voice and follow him, it is likely that I am not his at all. Our desire to be faithful and obedient to the Lord after we are saved is the outward proof of our inward change in him. As we hear his voice through his word we obey his commandments given to us throughout the scriptures out of love and devotion to him. As Hank pointed out in his post "We are sanctified (being increasingly conformed to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ) through obedience" I think were some seem to differ is that some see our works as somehow our payment to keep our salvation, whereas, I believe that Christ has secured my salvation by his work upon the cross and my works are an evidence that he lives within me. In other words I can justifify my profession of being in Christ by my obedience to him. In Christ Robert |
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235 | Are you saying that you do follow him? | John 3:16 | Robert Nicholson | 63978 | ||
brother welldigger: I know that Christ is my Savior and my Lord based on the promises of his precious word. He is the one who purchased my redemption at such a cost. It was God who drew me to him when I was lost in sin, it was God who revealled to me the significance of the sacrifice on Calvary and it was God by his spirit who indwells the believer and brings about changes which we could never change ourselves. We are born into his family forever, and as such we can say we are his, he is our heavenly father. You ask "do I follow him and do I keep his commandments?" That is a searching question? While it is my desire to follow Christ and bring honor and glory to his name I would be deceiving myself to make a claim of total obedience. John teaches us "that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" 1 John 1:8-9 As far as keeping the law, meaning the ten commandments James makes it clear of our inablility to keep the law "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." The Lord Jesus Christ is the only man who kept the law, who fulfilled the law and who bore the curse of the law upon Calvary's cross. In Romans 3 we are given a picture of how far short we come of God's glory and "that by the deeds of the law shall there be no flesh justified in his sight; for by the law is the knowledge of sin" Rom.3:19 In Galations we are told that in Christ we have been made free. We have been called into liberty which does not alleviate responsibilty. "For brethren, you have been called unto liberty: only use not your liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even this,, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" Gal. 5:13-14 The Mosaic law brought bondage, it showed us what God demands and how far short we fall of his glory, it shows us our sinfulness and our total inability within our selves keep it. On the other hand in Christ, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we have been given his love within which allows us to love others and by his grace to live for Christ. Peace to you in his Name Robert |
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236 | helping someone to believe? | John 3:16 | Robert Nicholson | 65613 | ||
We must remember that "salvation is of the Lord" Jonah 2:9 There is nothing you are I can do except present the gospel clearly to a lost sinner. It is God who by his Spirit strives with them and if they should turn in repentance it is God who reveals to them Christ as Saviour. It may be that Romans 5 would help an analytical person as it goes into detail how we are justified by faith. However, if a lost sinner is going to come to Christ, they must give up on analysing and doing and rest in the finished work of Christ by faith. We cannot help someone to believe, we can only present the reality of the One who is believeable, our Lord Jesus Christ. It is difficult for us to realize that within ourselves we are less than Zero, and yet our souls are so precious to God in that he was willing to give his Son to die for our salvation. I pray that your friend would stop trying to analize God and know what it is to place simple child-like faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ upon the Cross. He alone can save. God bless you Robert |
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237 | Should not perish or shall not perish? | John 3:16 | Robert Nicholson | 75653 | ||
Disciplerami: Please consider the following: For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life." (John 3:16) amplified In your last post to me you indicated that my KJV rendering "should not perish" suggested some doubt. In the KJV "we read should not perish, but have everlasting life" Since we are told we have everlasting life than we shall not perish. I believe the amplified version makes this very plain. You also suggested that based on John 12:42 that some believed and lost it because of other cares. I do not believe this is what this verse is suggesting. In fact we have Nicodemus who came to Jesus by night who was a secret disciple who was used of God and mentioned at the buriel of the Lord Jesus. I do not believe we have a clear biblical example of a person who was born again who lost their soul's salvation. We must also remember there is believing and there is believing. There are those who believe about Jesus, who would see him as a good man who lived and died, but they do not know him as their Savior. On the other hand there are those who have believed by placing their total trust in his sacrifice on the cross for them. Their heart is changed, as they are given new life within by the Holy Spirit as they rejoice in a living and glorified Savior. |
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238 | Condemned Already: from birth? | John 3:18 | Robert Nicholson | 63585 | ||
Condemned already! Convicted! This is the condition of all who have not trusted Christ or rested up the fact that Christ bore the judgment for our sins. I find that there are many who believe that they are Christians and yet would not agree that they were condemned already. I was asked this question "What if you have always believed? What if you were never lost? I believe that it is important for people travelling to eternity to know for sure of their standing before God. What a tradgey to walk the clean foot path of life and miss Christ altogether! Do you not think that if we take our place as "condemned already" that we in fact are acknowledging our need to God? It is difficult for good living people to see themselves as God sees them: as condemned before him. Is it not a lie of satan to rock people to sleep in thinking they will be safe because of their good life and their perceived belief of Christ. What do you think about being "Condemned" in the law courts of God? May God open our eyes to the truth of his Holy word. Robert |
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239 | Condemned Already: from birth? | John 3:18 | Robert Nicholson | 63604 | ||
brother telegram Thank you. I find on forums that many people sincerely believe that they have always been saved because as a child they were baptised and taught throughout their life the story of the gospel. It is very difficult humans in general to bow to God's word "that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" There are many people who are kind loving, sensitive and help others in many ways and yet it is difficult to accept that such works fall short of the glory of God. May such people feel the tug of the Spirit of God and be willing to bow to the claims of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rejoicing that Christ died for the ungodly which means me! Robert |
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240 | Eternal Life: A Free Gift? | John 3:36 | Robert Nicholson | 54733 | ||
To all: Is eternal life a gift from God which is given freely to those who trust Christ as Savior and Lord? I would like to examine the truth of John 3:36. On this forum I have heard some refer to the NASB version which reads: "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." John 3:36 I would like to compare it to the King James Version which reads: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:36 The difference I have noted in interpretation falls on the middle part of the verse: The 12 translations of the Bible which I have access to break down the following way. a) He that believeth and he that believeth not is found. NIV, KJV, NKJV, KJ21, WE, YLT, AMP. b) He that believeth and he that obeys not is found in the NASB, AMP, NLT, ASV, JD, One might ask why is this distinction important? I have found that some use the verse the following way: " He that believeth in the Son hath everlasting life. No disagreement here "But he who does not obey the Son shall not see life" This is the section where I see a significant problem at times. I have heard some express that the meaning of this verse is: If we believe on the Son we have everlasting life, however, if we do not obey the son by keeping his commandments than we are in danger of losing our eternal life and coming under the judgement of God. I disagree with this intrepretation for the following reasons: 1. Context. The Lord Jesus began this subject in the early part of John 3 What did he teach? a) His reason for coming into the world. V.17 "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." b) That unbelievers are condemned already. "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" V.18 Thus, in the light of the words of the Lord Jesus we can understand what John the Baptist is saying in Verse 36: That there are those who have trusted Christ and they have eternal life in contrast to those who have not believed on the Son or have not obeyed the Gospel and as such they have not life and the wrath of God hovers over them. Jesus repeats the same truth in John 5:24. John in 1 John 5:12 repeats the same truth "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son hath no life" I believe the Amplified translation shows us that both renderings mean the same thing. We either have eternal life or we do not have eternal life based on our attitude towards the claims of Christ. I love the words of an old gospel song: "Eternal life's in the question And joy through eternity Oh what will you do with Jesus? What will your answer be. Robert |
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