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NASB | John 3:16 ¶ "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 3:16 ¶ "For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life. |
Subject: THE CROSS |
Bible Note: Greetings Jibby-Jee! Night shift can be a bear! :-) I just posted to Joe about some of these issues. I really don't understand the obession with the idea that if someone doesn't accept the offer of salvation that He has somehow failed. :-( What about all those who did receive the gift? What about the demonstration of His love in dying for all? What is the basis for eternal punishment? Rejection of such a gift as Christ has freely offered would be sufficient grounds in my mind! We have two choices before us. We either have a God who could save all, but chooses not to save all. Or, we have a God who offers salvation to all, but not everyone accepts. The end result is the same, not everyone is saved. The difference is that under my understanding, everyone could be. Under your understanding, everyone could not be. Now, I can point to many verses which specifically say that God does want all to be saved, and that Christ did die for all. Where is a single verse which contradicts my contention? Where is a verse which says that Christ did not die for all, or that He only died for some? This discussion has gone on and on with people telling me why 'all' can't really mean 'all, but no one has produced this single verse as of yet. Surely such an important and crucial doctrine as this would be clearly stated somewhere! :-) The rule of thumb that I have always taught people about Bible study is that the more one has to 'explain' why a verse doesn't really mean what it appears to say then the more likely that view is wrong. Concerning His will, why must He be impotent? If God allows man a choice, the carrying out of the choice is part of His will. We are commanded in Scripture to either accept or reject the gift of salvation. Our choice does not make God impotent! Well, it's time to head out for that night shift again! :-( Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |