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. |
Subject: Why do i need to love god? |
Bible Note: I can only respond with the way I've been taught all my life. I'll try to follow the flow of your post. Your Item 1: I quoted Rev 2:10 because it most certainly does apply to all christians for all time. Jesus specifically wrote to those 7 different congregations but He also meant for the guidance to be applicable to all christians everywhere for all time. I agree that Revelation is a prophetic book (and highly figurative) for the most part but the first three chapters are very easily understood. He identified some problems and to a few congregations He gave praise but the guidance for correction is easily understood and should be followed, thus the straight-forward and simple instruction of "Be thou faithful till death." is in perfect harmony with the quote from Matt 25:31-45. I realize this is not in harmony with the belief about "Once saved, always saved" or "Eternal Security" but this conflict has existed since those beliefs were first postulated. In support of Jesus' Words, I can only provide more scriptures such as 1 Tim 1:18 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, 20 of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. Here we see Paul has apparently failed to have these two individuals repent of their sin of blasphemy and their being given over to the devil. Pretty clear example of christians falling from Grace. 1 Cor 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. Another clear example from Paul about his own fragile condition. He's afraid if he doesn't keep his own spirit humble, he could lose his soul. So it's quite obvious it's not just one verse but a very large portion of NT reflects this possibility of people becoming christians but are not able or not willing to remain faithful and dedicated to the Lord. Peter describes this problem in 2 Pet 2:18-20. Your Item 2: I was very cautious in citing previous examples of people who failed God miserably in being His children at one time in their lives and then NOT following His guidance. Along with the group in my previous post, I could add Nadab and Abihu from Num 3, Uzzah in 2 Sam 6. ALL (the whole group) these people were considered followers of God and failed so miserably that God punishes them publically and records it in His Word for everyone for all time to recognize and learn from their mistakes. In contrast as you have stated, King David was "a man after God's own heart" but the key difference is the main point I've been emphasizing all along: David's attitude. He was willing to recognize his sin, he repented of that sin and lived a Godly life at least to the best of his ability. In contrast, we all know christian friends in our lives who started out their lives as good, clean-living people and worshipped on a regular basis. But our faithfulness to God requires more than that as Jesus stated in Matt 25. We must see ourselves as God sees us. As I mentioned there's nothing we can do as our acts of kindness and everything else "good" about our lives are as filthy rags to our God, Isaiah 64:6. Our only hope to put our faith in God's Grace as you have stated BUT the key afterwards is to maintain that relationship with the proper attitude as clearly shown in 1 Jn 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. So the Bible is clear throughout, from start to finish. Yes, we must establish a personal relationship with God Almighty BUT we must maintain that relationship. Hopefully this is all made clear. God bless you all -- Inquisitor |