Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
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. |
Bible Question:
Dear Tim, I would appreciate it, if you would consider replying to the following: In the light of all of Scripture, which proposition do you suppose is the most reflective of the truth? Despite being "dead in sin", "without hope", and "loving darkness rather than light" fallen man still has the ability to choose spiritual good (Christ). or, Fallen man is absolutely unable to choose spiritual good (Christ)because he is "dead in sin", "without hope", and "loving darkness rather than light" and is totally dependent on God's mercy and grace? Please supply scriptural proof to substantiate your answer. Your Brother in Christ, John |
Bible Answer: Hello John, Very interesting question. With this question you really get to the heart of the matter so I can't help jumping in. :o) I hold the first proposition: Despite being "dead in sin", "without hope", and "loving darkness rather than light" fallen man still has the ability to choose spiritual good (Christ). Supporting scriptures: John 3 19And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." Do men choose Christ? I say yes, but only after God calls us. I believe in the "day of visitation": Luke 19:44 and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation." 1 Peter 2:12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. Based on these scriptures, I believe that all men are taken out of their depravity on the day of visitation to make a choice. This day is different for everyone: Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; Joshua 24:15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." For the one thief on the cross it was like a death bed confession. Many would like a death bed confession so that they may stay in their sin till the last minute. But Jesus warns us to be ready: 1 Thessalonians 5:2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.[3:10 NU-Text reads [laid bare ] (literally [found] ).] Mat 24 42Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour[6] your Lord is coming. 43But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. The Faithful Servant and the Evil Servant (7) 45 "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. 48But if that evil servant says in his heart, "My master is delaying his coming,' [7] 49and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, 51and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Why did Jesus warn us unless we have some choice in the matter? Pastor Glenn |