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NASB | John 1:13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 1:13 who were born, not of blood [natural conception], nor of the will of the flesh [physical impulse], nor of the will of man [that of a natural father], but of God [that is, a divine and supernatural birth--they are born of God--spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified]. |
Subject: NOR OF HUMAN DECISION...but born of God |
Bible Note: I agree with you 100 per cent. There's absolutely NOTHING we can possibly ever hope to do or say to earn our way to Heaven or to receive salvation based on our actions. BUT there are some things that God does expect from us to PROVE we really do belong to Him. James is most clear on this in his letter, Chapter 2. Ja 2:14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble! 20But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God. 24You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Just wanted to complete the picture. You see, it's not the works that saves us, it's our faith in God BUT real, genuine faith will produce these works. If there is no such works, according to James, we should be suspicious about the actual condition of our faith. IF that faith is dead as would be indicated by the lack of works in such a person's life, then it (the faith) is worthless to him, to you and me and most of all, to God. So, what is a person to do under this kind of guidance? We must look around, maybe in the world, maybe in our churches, wherever there is a need for Christianity, we must adopt a ministry of some kind and apply our talents as best we can. Lk 9:23 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels. I hope this helps and Blessings to you. Country Girl |