John 3;1-21
As we draw near to the close of our studies on Regeneration and Conversion, from John 3;1-21,
we want to emphasize two great truths;
Number 1-The Purpose of Christ's First Advent, found in verse 17.
Number 2-The Faith of those Whom God ordained to believe, found in verse 18.
Now, The Purpose of Christ's First Advent, was not to judge, but to save those, whom The Father gave Him, in The Covenant of Redemption-John 17;2-3-[TURN].
Those, Who believe in and emphasize Free Will say; ''Christ came, that the world of lost sinners might be saved,'' NOT SAYING, IT SHALL BE SAVED.
''MIGHT'' expresses a possibility, while ''SHALL'' speaks of certainty.
If The World, for which, Christ died, is the so-called Elect only, that The Elect might be saved--not shall be saved,
this would indicate that The Elect might not be saved, hence, eventually lost in Hell.
Now, Get this truth; The Word ''Might'' used in John 3;17, when used relatively, denotes inherent ability;
when used absolutely, it denotes the power, to carry something into effect.
Does Our Lord leave any doubt, about The Bible being fulfilled/
Matthew 1;22-''Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken of the Lord by the prophets, saying. . .''
Matthew 4;14-''That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying. . .''
Is there any possibility of Christ, failing to give life to those, whom the Father gave him/
John 10;10-''The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.''
Is there any possibility of Christ failing in His Resurrection/
John 10;17-''Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.''
Is there any possibility of Christ, failing to be glorified/
John 11;4-''When Jesus heard this, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.''
There is no uncertainty of God's Purpose for Christ being fulfilled-
I Peter 3;18-[Turn].
John 6;37-[Turn].
Now, Get this truth; According to The Bible, no person can give himself to Jesus Christ, TO
BE SAVED.
Therefore, We must conclude that, the person given to Jesus Christ, by The Father, to be redeemed, shall be redeemed.
Faith in Jesus Christ is the fruit of God's Ordination-Acts 13;48-[Turn].
True Faith is The Faith of God's Elect-Titus 1;1-[Turn].
John 6;37 states that all the Father gave to the Son, shall come to the Son-NOT ''If They will
come.''
This promise is so related to God's Purpose, that it cannot fail--Isaiah 46;10-11-[Turn].
Coming finds it cause in being given and drawn-John 6;37, 44--[Turn].
We said previously, that the word, ''World'' in John 3;16-17, must be understood to refer to
the elect Jews and elect Gentiles, For whose salvation, Christ came, into this world.
He came to save His Own;
yet He, actually saves only, those to whom, He gives faith.
Today Many proclaim free will, as though it alone, had escaped the damage of The Fall, and as
if Adam had not sinned, with his will.
WHAT AN IDOL, ARMINIANS MAKE OF FREE WILL.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
LOVE IS THE CAUSE OF CONVERSION-Part 6
John 3;16
Number 3-Who are the ''whosoevers''/
Those who believe in Free Will'' say, ''It refers to every individual, in The World, and can never be restricted in intention to some.''
Those of us, who believe in ''Free Grace'' say, ''This Love is restricted to believers''-Love is the
unchangeable intention, of The Sovereign God.
Number 4-What is The Fruit of This Love/
Those who nelieve in ''Free Will'' say, ''Eternal Life is the fruit, obtained by faith;
But this was not the end, intended by God, because He loved and died for all mankind;
and many hate, and do reject Him''.
All Who believe in ''Free Grace'' say, ''The Love of God is not, in vain''.
The General Ransom is an empty sound, because Jesus Christ did not die in vain.
Isaiah said, ''He shall see his seed and be satisfied,'' which means, He shall be satisfied with the accomplishment of his intention.
Next, We see that, the channel of God's Eternal Love, is The Eternal Son.
It has been said, that love may be where there is no office, and so, has no power to do us good;
but in Jesus Christ, Love and Office meet.
They are combined in The Lord Jesus Christ, to do good for those, whom The Father gave Him.
The Love of Jesus Christ, was the sole compelling cause of His Assumption of The Office of Mediator-
Galatians 2;20-[Quote].
Revelation 1;5-''And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.''
The eternal disposing cause of The Whole Earth, wherein The Lord Jesus Christ, was engaged, for The Redemption and Salvation of His people, is The Eternal Love of God The Father.
This Love of The Father, acted in His Eternal Decree, before The Foundation of The World, and was afterwards, manifested in sending His Son, to make it effectual.
All, who believe in Christ's Divine Person, profess the valuation of The Love of The Son of God I John 3;16-[Turn].
It was Wrath, not Love, that all, mankind deserved.
This fills the souls of men with self-abasement.
Jesus Christ is Glorious in This Love. No creature, angel, or man, could have the least conception of it, before its effects are manifested.
Even after its manifestation, in Christ's Death, it is incomprehensible in this World.
Ephesians 3;19-''And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.''
An unseen Glory accompanied The Lord Jesus in all that He did, during His personal ministry, and in what, He suffered on The Cross.
His Glory was unseen by the eyes of the world in general, but not, by His Own sheep, which He came to save.
If Men, in general, had seen it, they wouldn't have crucified The Lord of Glory-
I Corinthians 2;8-''Which none of the princes of this world knew; for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.''
Now, did God, simply open up a way of salvation, through Jesus Christ/
Could Sinners only walk in a way, that was opened to them/
Such a meager provision would be operative in no case.
The Fact that everyone, Who does evil, hates the light;
and doesn't come to the light, is proved by the context of John 3;19-20.
How can a way, that has simply been opened, do anything for men, Who will not come to the light, because they hate it/
Now, all unbelievers, in their hearts, really do call Jesus Christ ''Ichabod,'' which means, ''Where is The Glory/''
They see neither ''form nor comeliness'' in Him, that He should be desired.
While many don't call Jesus, ''Anathema,'' yet they cry, ''Hail, Master,'' and then crucify Him.
Now, to say, that Jesus Christ only opened a way of salvation, leads to a Deistic Soteriology,
which is a concept, that God has done all that He can do, and the rest, is left up to the sinner, to do, to be saved.
But, The Love of God, is a saving love, not a love, tending toward salvation.
The Almighty, All Conquering Love of God, therefore, doesn't pour itself equally, and with the same intent, upon every man, in The World.
You see, God visits whom He Will with it.
Thus The Father gives in Time, His Son, to those whom He gave to Christ, in The Covenant of
Redemption, in Eternity.
The Son, by The Holy Spirit, gives eternal life, to all, that the Father gave Him-
John 17;3-''And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.''
--END--
Number 3-Who are the ''whosoevers''/
Those who believe in Free Will'' say, ''It refers to every individual, in The World, and can never be restricted in intention to some.''
Those of us, who believe in ''Free Grace'' say, ''This Love is restricted to believers''-Love is the
unchangeable intention, of The Sovereign God.
Number 4-What is The Fruit of This Love/
Those who nelieve in ''Free Will'' say, ''Eternal Life is the fruit, obtained by faith;
But this was not the end, intended by God, because He loved and died for all mankind;
and many hate, and do reject Him''.
All Who believe in ''Free Grace'' say, ''The Love of God is not, in vain''.
The General Ransom is an empty sound, because Jesus Christ did not die in vain.
Isaiah said, ''He shall see his seed and be satisfied,'' which means, He shall be satisfied with the accomplishment of his intention.
Next, We see that, the channel of God's Eternal Love, is The Eternal Son.
It has been said, that love may be where there is no office, and so, has no power to do us good;
but in Jesus Christ, Love and Office meet.
They are combined in The Lord Jesus Christ, to do good for those, whom The Father gave Him.
The Love of Jesus Christ, was the sole compelling cause of His Assumption of The Office of Mediator-
Galatians 2;20-[Quote].
Revelation 1;5-''And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.''
The eternal disposing cause of The Whole Earth, wherein The Lord Jesus Christ, was engaged, for The Redemption and Salvation of His people, is The Eternal Love of God The Father.
This Love of The Father, acted in His Eternal Decree, before The Foundation of The World, and was afterwards, manifested in sending His Son, to make it effectual.
All, who believe in Christ's Divine Person, profess the valuation of The Love of The Son of God I John 3;16-[Turn].
It was Wrath, not Love, that all, mankind deserved.
This fills the souls of men with self-abasement.
Jesus Christ is Glorious in This Love. No creature, angel, or man, could have the least conception of it, before its effects are manifested.
Even after its manifestation, in Christ's Death, it is incomprehensible in this World.
Ephesians 3;19-''And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.''
An unseen Glory accompanied The Lord Jesus in all that He did, during His personal ministry, and in what, He suffered on The Cross.
His Glory was unseen by the eyes of the world in general, but not, by His Own sheep, which He came to save.
If Men, in general, had seen it, they wouldn't have crucified The Lord of Glory-
I Corinthians 2;8-''Which none of the princes of this world knew; for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.''
Now, did God, simply open up a way of salvation, through Jesus Christ/
Could Sinners only walk in a way, that was opened to them/
Such a meager provision would be operative in no case.
The Fact that everyone, Who does evil, hates the light;
and doesn't come to the light, is proved by the context of John 3;19-20.
How can a way, that has simply been opened, do anything for men, Who will not come to the light, because they hate it/
Now, all unbelievers, in their hearts, really do call Jesus Christ ''Ichabod,'' which means, ''Where is The Glory/''
They see neither ''form nor comeliness'' in Him, that He should be desired.
While many don't call Jesus, ''Anathema,'' yet they cry, ''Hail, Master,'' and then crucify Him.
Now, to say, that Jesus Christ only opened a way of salvation, leads to a Deistic Soteriology,
which is a concept, that God has done all that He can do, and the rest, is left up to the sinner, to do, to be saved.
But, The Love of God, is a saving love, not a love, tending toward salvation.
The Almighty, All Conquering Love of God, therefore, doesn't pour itself equally, and with the same intent, upon every man, in The World.
You see, God visits whom He Will with it.
Thus The Father gives in Time, His Son, to those whom He gave to Christ, in The Covenant of
Redemption, in Eternity.
The Son, by The Holy Spirit, gives eternal life, to all, that the Father gave Him-
John 17;3-''And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.''
--END--
Friday, June 27, 2008
LOVE IS THE CAUSE OF CONVERSION-Part 5
Every Religious Person limits the atonement, those who believe in ''Free Will'' limit its quality, while those who believe in ''Free Grace'' limit its extent.
Now, according to God's Word, I rather be accused of limiting the extent, not the quality of
Redemption.
Someone has said, ''The things which we have to choose between, are an atonement of high value, or an atonement of wide extension-The two cannot go together'' [unquote].
Now, I must remind you, that the value of Christ's Atonement was INFINITE.
Just as it is necessary, for the sun, to give off as much heat, for only one plant, to grow upon the earth,
as for the whole world to be covered with vegetation,
so, it was necessary for Christ Jesus, to suffer as much for the salvation of one soul, as He would, if all Mankind were to be saved.
You see, if you make Redemption universal, You will destroy its inherent value.
If It is applied to all men alike, and some are lost,the conclusion is, that it makes salvation objectively possible for all, but does not subjectively save anyone.
If the atonement's benefits are universal and unlimited, then, the benefit of the sacrifice, was to blot out the curse,but not, to perfectly satisfy the demands of Divine Justice.
Now, before leaving John 3;16-I want to ask you 4 questions, and then seek, to give The
Biblical Answers.
I will relate The Answers, The Bible teaches, to each question, after stating what those, who believe in Free Will, have to say.
Number 1-What is that love, which was the cause of The Father, sending The Son, into The
World/
Those who believe in Free Will say, ''It was a natural propensity, to The Good of All Mankind.''
Those of us, who believe in Free Grace say, ''Love is not an inclination of God's Nature, but an act of His Divine Will.''
There was no imperfection in God's Love.
A natural affection for all, and not completed and perfected in all, is weak and imperfect.
This could never be attributed to The All-Sufficient God.
Number 2-Who are the objects of God's Love/
Those who believe in Free Will say, ''Christ is offered unto all men without exception.''
Those of us, who believe in Free Grace say, ''God's Love intended the salvation of some''.
If the word ''World'' means every person without exception, then His Love was defeated, because it was not made effectual in All.
Now, according to God's Word, I rather be accused of limiting the extent, not the quality of
Redemption.
Someone has said, ''The things which we have to choose between, are an atonement of high value, or an atonement of wide extension-The two cannot go together'' [unquote].
Now, I must remind you, that the value of Christ's Atonement was INFINITE.
Just as it is necessary, for the sun, to give off as much heat, for only one plant, to grow upon the earth,
as for the whole world to be covered with vegetation,
so, it was necessary for Christ Jesus, to suffer as much for the salvation of one soul, as He would, if all Mankind were to be saved.
You see, if you make Redemption universal, You will destroy its inherent value.
If It is applied to all men alike, and some are lost,the conclusion is, that it makes salvation objectively possible for all, but does not subjectively save anyone.
If the atonement's benefits are universal and unlimited, then, the benefit of the sacrifice, was to blot out the curse,but not, to perfectly satisfy the demands of Divine Justice.
Now, before leaving John 3;16-I want to ask you 4 questions, and then seek, to give The
Biblical Answers.
I will relate The Answers, The Bible teaches, to each question, after stating what those, who believe in Free Will, have to say.
Number 1-What is that love, which was the cause of The Father, sending The Son, into The
World/
Those who believe in Free Will say, ''It was a natural propensity, to The Good of All Mankind.''
Those of us, who believe in Free Grace say, ''Love is not an inclination of God's Nature, but an act of His Divine Will.''
There was no imperfection in God's Love.
A natural affection for all, and not completed and perfected in all, is weak and imperfect.
This could never be attributed to The All-Sufficient God.
Number 2-Who are the objects of God's Love/
Those who believe in Free Will say, ''Christ is offered unto all men without exception.''
Those of us, who believe in Free Grace say, ''God's Love intended the salvation of some''.
If the word ''World'' means every person without exception, then His Love was defeated, because it was not made effectual in All.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
LOVE IS THE CAUSE OF CONVERSION-Part 4
John 3;16-[Turn].
God attaches to Himself, in every generation, those who become His, by Regeneration.
They are no longer a part of The World, that lies in The Evil One.
But, The World, that is regenerated, that abides in Him.
When Salvation's process is completed, then, the task, which Christ took upon Himself, shall also be completed;
and The World, shall be saved.
The Wicked World of Sinful Men will be transformed into One of Righteousness.
The Statement, ''The World shall be saved through CHRIST,'' is a conception, independent of the idea, that every individual shall be saved, through Him. . . .
John set forth a Propitiation, not for every individual person, but one, in intention and design, effecting a renewal, so vast, as to issue in an ordered world, ''The New Heavens and The New Earth''.
You see, John 3;16 is a vision, of The Consummated Purpose of God's immeasurable Love.
It is a vision of The Saved World.
Now, Those Who emphasize ''Free Will'' will object to what, I have given you, on John 3;16.
Their Cry is,''such teaching limits The Atonement''.
But, every Religionist limits The Atonement-Those, who believe in ''Free Will'' limit its ''QUALITY,''
And those, who believe in ''Free Grace'' limit its ''EXTENT''.
Now, according to God's Word, I'd rather be accused of limiting the extent, not the quality of Redemption.
God attaches to Himself, in every generation, those who become His, by Regeneration.
They are no longer a part of The World, that lies in The Evil One.
But, The World, that is regenerated, that abides in Him.
When Salvation's process is completed, then, the task, which Christ took upon Himself, shall also be completed;
and The World, shall be saved.
The Wicked World of Sinful Men will be transformed into One of Righteousness.
The Statement, ''The World shall be saved through CHRIST,'' is a conception, independent of the idea, that every individual shall be saved, through Him. . . .
John set forth a Propitiation, not for every individual person, but one, in intention and design, effecting a renewal, so vast, as to issue in an ordered world, ''The New Heavens and The New Earth''.
You see, John 3;16 is a vision, of The Consummated Purpose of God's immeasurable Love.
It is a vision of The Saved World.
Now, Those Who emphasize ''Free Will'' will object to what, I have given you, on John 3;16.
Their Cry is,''such teaching limits The Atonement''.
But, every Religionist limits The Atonement-Those, who believe in ''Free Will'' limit its ''QUALITY,''
And those, who believe in ''Free Grace'' limit its ''EXTENT''.
Now, according to God's Word, I'd rather be accused of limiting the extent, not the quality of Redemption.
Monday, June 23, 2008
GOD'S LOVE IS THE CAUSE OF CONVERSION-Part 3
The 3 members of The Godhead, mutually love each other-
John 3;35-''The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.''
John 17;24-''Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me; for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.''
I Corinthians 2;10-12-[Turn].
John 16;14-'' He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you''.
God is the fountain, from which, love proceeds.
Next, in the attributes, belonging to God, as A Holy and Intelligent Spirit, we may consider, what may be called ''The Affections''.
God does somethings similar to the affections in man.
They are ascribed to Him as love, hatred, anger, etc.
From These, everything carnal, sensual, or with any degree of imperfection in it, must be removed.
Love stands first, in the affections, because God is love-but, love is not God's chief attribute.
Both holiness and life precede love, in The Divine Order.
God is so holy, that He cannot look upon sin-
Habbakkuk 1;13-''Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity; wherefore lookest thou upon them that that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he/''
Justice protects His Holiness.
God's Justice must be satisfied, for holiness to manifest love, to the sinner.
Next, we find that, God's Love has a specific object--The World.
Now the statement, ''Love is of God'' does not mean, that it comes from God, in the same way, that light comes from God.
It is not asserted of love as it is of light; ''And God said, Let there be light; and there was light''
[Genesis 1;3].
He does not say, ''Let there be love, and there was love''.
God's Love does not shine upon all people without exception, as The Light of Nature does.
Now, this love of God is a saving love, not a love, which merely tends toward Salvation.
Next, we see, that the words, ''God gave'' expresses the absolute freeness of the gift.
''Giving'' and ''Receiving'' are relative terms, one presupposing the other.
God never gives something, that is not received.
The Gift, However, is not to every individual;
for, to whomever He gives His Son, He gives all things freely with Him-Romans 8;32-[Turn].
Since love is God's Gift, whoever God loves, receives His Gift.
The World, Christ came to save, is not completed.
This is why, God is long suffering-2 Peter 3;9- [Turn]...[Comment]
Now, there is no marvel so great, no mystery so unfathomable, as this-that The Great and
Good God,
Whose Perfect Righteousness, flames in indignation, at the sight of every iniquity,
and Whose Absolute Holiness recoils in the presence of every impurity,
loves the sinful world, and has so loved it, that He gave His Son, to die for it.
John is teaching ''The Universalism of Christianity'' in contrast with ''The Nationalism'' of The
Old Testament.
In this universalistic and Anti-Jewish Gospel of John, what is more natural, than to find ''the world'' brought into contrast, with Jewish Exclusivism/
Christ DID NOT COME, to make Propitiation for The Jews only.
God's Elect are not The Residual of The Great Conflagrational.
They aren't the ashes of the burned up world, gathered sadly together, by The Creator, after the
catastrophe is over, so that He might make, a new and better beginning with them, to replace that which has been lost.
The Elect Themselves, are not The World, as it is, in its sin, lying in The Evil One;
but, The World, with its promise of renewed life.
John 3;35-''The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.''
John 17;24-''Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me; for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.''
I Corinthians 2;10-12-[Turn].
John 16;14-'' He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you''.
God is the fountain, from which, love proceeds.
Next, in the attributes, belonging to God, as A Holy and Intelligent Spirit, we may consider, what may be called ''The Affections''.
God does somethings similar to the affections in man.
They are ascribed to Him as love, hatred, anger, etc.
From These, everything carnal, sensual, or with any degree of imperfection in it, must be removed.
Love stands first, in the affections, because God is love-but, love is not God's chief attribute.
Both holiness and life precede love, in The Divine Order.
God is so holy, that He cannot look upon sin-
Habbakkuk 1;13-''Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity; wherefore lookest thou upon them that that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he/''
Justice protects His Holiness.
God's Justice must be satisfied, for holiness to manifest love, to the sinner.
Next, we find that, God's Love has a specific object--The World.
Now the statement, ''Love is of God'' does not mean, that it comes from God, in the same way, that light comes from God.
It is not asserted of love as it is of light; ''And God said, Let there be light; and there was light''
[Genesis 1;3].
He does not say, ''Let there be love, and there was love''.
God's Love does not shine upon all people without exception, as The Light of Nature does.
Now, this love of God is a saving love, not a love, which merely tends toward Salvation.
Next, we see, that the words, ''God gave'' expresses the absolute freeness of the gift.
''Giving'' and ''Receiving'' are relative terms, one presupposing the other.
God never gives something, that is not received.
The Gift, However, is not to every individual;
for, to whomever He gives His Son, He gives all things freely with Him-Romans 8;32-[Turn].
Since love is God's Gift, whoever God loves, receives His Gift.
The World, Christ came to save, is not completed.
This is why, God is long suffering-2 Peter 3;9- [Turn]...[Comment]
Now, there is no marvel so great, no mystery so unfathomable, as this-that The Great and
Good God,
Whose Perfect Righteousness, flames in indignation, at the sight of every iniquity,
and Whose Absolute Holiness recoils in the presence of every impurity,
loves the sinful world, and has so loved it, that He gave His Son, to die for it.
John is teaching ''The Universalism of Christianity'' in contrast with ''The Nationalism'' of The
Old Testament.
In this universalistic and Anti-Jewish Gospel of John, what is more natural, than to find ''the world'' brought into contrast, with Jewish Exclusivism/
Christ DID NOT COME, to make Propitiation for The Jews only.
God's Elect are not The Residual of The Great Conflagrational.
They aren't the ashes of the burned up world, gathered sadly together, by The Creator, after the
catastrophe is over, so that He might make, a new and better beginning with them, to replace that which has been lost.
The Elect Themselves, are not The World, as it is, in its sin, lying in The Evil One;
but, The World, with its promise of renewed life.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
GOD'S LOVE IS THE CAUSE OF CONVERSION-Part 2
As we said, in our last post, John 3;16 begins in Eternity with God, and ends in Eternity with Man.
God's Love, in Time, comes to ransom, a host of believing souls.
Now, if The Eternity of God is understood, one will easily interpret John 3;16.
The duration of Divine Existence is from Eternity, according to our finite way of understanding
Eternity.
Divine duration must be considered as wholly permanent, and the ever-present ''Now'', not capable of division, into parts, any more than The Divine Existence Itself.
Thus, things future to us, are present with God.
The Eternal God co-exists with faith, but faith does not co-exist with God.
Jeremiah 31;3-''The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.''
God's Love is Uninfluenced-
Romans 5;6-8-''For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.''
Human love is reciprocal. We love because we are loved.
But God's Love is not, a response to something, outside of Himself.
God loves, because that is His Nature.
You see, Love is God's Character, but not His characteristic-
I John 3;16-''Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.''
Next, We find that, God's Love is Infinite-can we know The Unknowable/
Ephesians 3;19-''And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.''
One, born of God, readily admits that he has done nothing, to commend himself to God.
We can know by grace, what we can't know by Nature.
We can know by faith, what we can't by Reason. . .
We can know the effects, without comprehending the cause.
We can know The Reality of God's Existence, without understanding Its Nature.
We may know increasingly, what can't be known, perfectly-
Proverbs 4;18-''But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.''
The Wisdom of God's people increases.
Our ideas of love may be more clear and consistent in the future, than they are today.
Our hearts need to be firmly established.
Now, a principle slumbering in the head, is quite different, from being alive in the heart-
Ephesians 3;19-[Turn].
Man, in his natural condition, is empty of God.
Man, in his glorified state, will be full of God-He is All in All.
However, in the state of grace, man has a degree of both his original emptiness, and his final fitness.
Man is not what he was, neither is he, what he will be.
He's thankful, for what he has, but he wants more of The Presence and Fullness of Jesus Christ.
Love, therefore, constrains to a life of holiness and service.
Next, God's Love Is IMMUTABLE-
James 1;17-''Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the
Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.''
God doesn't love all men, in the provision of salvation, and hate those, Who reject it.
God's Love Is ETERNAL... Since it has no beginning, it can have no ending.
Next, God's Love is HOLY;
It is not regulated by passion, or sentiment, but by principle.
God's Love never conflicts with His holiness, and will never wink at sin.
The Cross is the highest manifestation of God's Love.
The Source of God's Love is God Himself.
Now Get this principle; Self-Love is in all intelligent beings, and it is not condemned, when it is carried on, in its proper channel.
You see, People are not obligated to love others MORE than themselves, but AS THEMSELVES-
Matthew 22;37-40-''Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.''
God, first, and chiefly, loves Himself. Thus, He has made His Glory, The Chief End of all His Works in Nature, Providence, and in Grace--
Proverbs 16;4-''The LORD hath made all things for himself; yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.''
Romans 11;36-''For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things; to whom be glory for ever. Amen.''
Revelation 4;11-''Thou art woorthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.''
Ephesians 1;6-''To the praise of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
God's Love, in Time, comes to ransom, a host of believing souls.
Now, if The Eternity of God is understood, one will easily interpret John 3;16.
The duration of Divine Existence is from Eternity, according to our finite way of understanding
Eternity.
Divine duration must be considered as wholly permanent, and the ever-present ''Now'', not capable of division, into parts, any more than The Divine Existence Itself.
Thus, things future to us, are present with God.
The Eternal God co-exists with faith, but faith does not co-exist with God.
Jeremiah 31;3-''The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.''
God's Love is Uninfluenced-
Romans 5;6-8-''For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.''
Human love is reciprocal. We love because we are loved.
But God's Love is not, a response to something, outside of Himself.
God loves, because that is His Nature.
You see, Love is God's Character, but not His characteristic-
I John 3;16-''Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.''
Next, We find that, God's Love is Infinite-can we know The Unknowable/
Ephesians 3;19-''And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.''
One, born of God, readily admits that he has done nothing, to commend himself to God.
We can know by grace, what we can't know by Nature.
We can know by faith, what we can't by Reason. . .
We can know the effects, without comprehending the cause.
We can know The Reality of God's Existence, without understanding Its Nature.
We may know increasingly, what can't be known, perfectly-
Proverbs 4;18-''But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.''
The Wisdom of God's people increases.
Our ideas of love may be more clear and consistent in the future, than they are today.
Our hearts need to be firmly established.
Now, a principle slumbering in the head, is quite different, from being alive in the heart-
Ephesians 3;19-[Turn].
Man, in his natural condition, is empty of God.
Man, in his glorified state, will be full of God-He is All in All.
However, in the state of grace, man has a degree of both his original emptiness, and his final fitness.
Man is not what he was, neither is he, what he will be.
He's thankful, for what he has, but he wants more of The Presence and Fullness of Jesus Christ.
Love, therefore, constrains to a life of holiness and service.
Next, God's Love Is IMMUTABLE-
James 1;17-''Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the
Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.''
God doesn't love all men, in the provision of salvation, and hate those, Who reject it.
God's Love Is ETERNAL... Since it has no beginning, it can have no ending.
Next, God's Love is HOLY;
It is not regulated by passion, or sentiment, but by principle.
God's Love never conflicts with His holiness, and will never wink at sin.
The Cross is the highest manifestation of God's Love.
The Source of God's Love is God Himself.
Now Get this principle; Self-Love is in all intelligent beings, and it is not condemned, when it is carried on, in its proper channel.
You see, People are not obligated to love others MORE than themselves, but AS THEMSELVES-
Matthew 22;37-40-''Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.''
God, first, and chiefly, loves Himself. Thus, He has made His Glory, The Chief End of all His Works in Nature, Providence, and in Grace--
Proverbs 16;4-''The LORD hath made all things for himself; yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.''
Romans 11;36-''For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things; to whom be glory for ever. Amen.''
Revelation 4;11-''Thou art woorthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.''
Ephesians 1;6-''To the praise of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
GOD'S LOVE IS THE CAUSE OF CONVERSION-Part 1
John 3;16 is the most quoted, yet, misunderstood verse, in the whole Bible.
The Love of God, we hear so much about, is according to, a definite plan;
It is not love in general.
It is love in a particular personal sense. Thus, It is not indiscriminate.
God's love and attention are explained and limited, in John 3;16.
Now, Get this truth; The Person, who emphasizes ''Free Will'' charges God, with two contrary Ends and Designs, at the same time;
Number 1-He accuses God of condemning many, Whom He sent Christ, not to condemn, but, to save.
Number 2-He charges God with loving many, upon whom, His Wrath will always abide.
Now, Notice that, in John 3;14-16, there is nothing stated, to indicate that God loves every man,
or, that The Son came to redeem every man.
John 5;51 says, Christ gave His Flesh, for the life of the World. But The Bible, no where says, He gave His flesh, for every man.
Christ is The Propitiation for the sins of the whole world, but not, for every man-
I John 2;2-''And he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.''
Romans 3;25-[Turn].
According to this verse, Jesus Christ is not a propitiation for those, who have no faith.
Those who emphasize ''free will'' can only plead one word in John 3;16-''World''--But, the word.
''WORLD'' has many uses in the Bible.
Colossians 1;5-6-''For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of truth of the gospel; 6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world, and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and know the grace of God in truth;''
Now, the question is, Does The Gospel bring forth fruit in unbelievers/
Luke 2;1
-''And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Ceasar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.''
Revelation 13;3-''And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed; and all the world wondered after the beast.''
Revelation 12;9-''And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.''
I John 5;19-[Turn].
Thus, the world ''world'' [kosmos] in the KJV 1611, is used of;
1. THE UNIVERSE-
Acts 17;24-''God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands.''
2. THE EARTH-
John 13;1-''Now before the feast of passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.''
3. HUMANITY MINUS BELIEVERS-
JOHN 15;8-[TURN].
Romans 3;6-''God forbid; for then how shall God judge the world/''
2 Peter 2;5-''And spared not the old world, but saved Noah, the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly.''
4. GENTILES IN CONTRAST TO JEWS-
Romans 11;12-[Turn].
5. BELIEVERS ONLY-
John 6;33-''For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.''
John 12;47-''And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not; For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.''
2 Corinthians 5;19-''To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.''
The ''world'' in Luke 2;1 refers to The Roman World.
''The Whole World'' in Romans 1;8 refers to The Saints.
In Revelation 13;1-''. . .the wotld wondereth after the beast''-BUT SOME, DIDN'T RECEIVE HIS MARK;SO THEY DIDN'T WONDER AFTER HIM--
THE ELECT CANNOT BE DECEIVED-
Revelation 12;9-[Turn].
thus, the statement that, 'The whole world lieth in wickedness [I John 5;19], DOESN'T REFER TO THE SAVED, BECAUSE THEY DO NOT BELONG TO THE WORLD-THEY'RE IN IT, BUT NOT OF IT-
John 17;14-''I have given them thy word; and the world hath hateth them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.''
Now, the word, ''WHOSOEVER'' in John 3;16, refers to the world-wide application of God's Purpose.
Thus, Salvation is not confined to one particular nation, or rank.
The word ''WHOSOEVER'' refers to both Gentiles and Jews.
Now I believe in whosoever will-but the question is;
''Who can will/''
You see, The Will, that is to determine, is the same will, that must be determined, by Grace.
The disease is in the will.
How can a diseased will provide the cure, for a depraved soul/
The Great Truth announced Here, to The Religious Jew is;
that The Gentile, is included in God's love, and that, The Jews are not the exclusive object of His Affections.
The World in John 3;16-17 is that of ''ELECT JEWS AND ELECT GENTILES''-for Whose Salvation Christ came, into The World.
Now, LISTEN-If Jesus Christ procured through His Death, a possibility of salvation, He only removed the insuperable obstruction, that man might become his own Saviour.
And that would exalt Man's Goodness and Power, but not, The Merit and Grace of God.
Did Christ only make Salvation possible, by His Death, and man may make his damnation certain, by his unbelief/
If The Lord failed in His Purpose, then, why was He exalted, to give Repentance and Remission of Sins/
Acts 5;31-''Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.''
What sense can there be in interpreting the word, ''world,'' to mean every individual, when God purposes that only believers shall benefit from His love/
This verse begins in Eternity with God, and ends in Eternity with man.
The Love of God, we hear so much about, is according to, a definite plan;
It is not love in general.
It is love in a particular personal sense. Thus, It is not indiscriminate.
God's love and attention are explained and limited, in John 3;16.
Now, Get this truth; The Person, who emphasizes ''Free Will'' charges God, with two contrary Ends and Designs, at the same time;
Number 1-He accuses God of condemning many, Whom He sent Christ, not to condemn, but, to save.
Number 2-He charges God with loving many, upon whom, His Wrath will always abide.
Now, Notice that, in John 3;14-16, there is nothing stated, to indicate that God loves every man,
or, that The Son came to redeem every man.
John 5;51 says, Christ gave His Flesh, for the life of the World. But The Bible, no where says, He gave His flesh, for every man.
Christ is The Propitiation for the sins of the whole world, but not, for every man-
I John 2;2-''And he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.''
Romans 3;25-[Turn].
According to this verse, Jesus Christ is not a propitiation for those, who have no faith.
Those who emphasize ''free will'' can only plead one word in John 3;16-''World''--But, the word.
''WORLD'' has many uses in the Bible.
Colossians 1;5-6-''For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of truth of the gospel; 6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world, and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and know the grace of God in truth;''
Now, the question is, Does The Gospel bring forth fruit in unbelievers/
Luke 2;1
-''And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Ceasar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.''
Revelation 13;3-''And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed; and all the world wondered after the beast.''
Revelation 12;9-''And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.''
I John 5;19-[Turn].
Thus, the world ''world'' [kosmos] in the KJV 1611, is used of;
1. THE UNIVERSE-
Acts 17;24-''God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands.''
2. THE EARTH-
John 13;1-''Now before the feast of passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.''
3. HUMANITY MINUS BELIEVERS-
JOHN 15;8-[TURN].
Romans 3;6-''God forbid; for then how shall God judge the world/''
2 Peter 2;5-''And spared not the old world, but saved Noah, the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly.''
4. GENTILES IN CONTRAST TO JEWS-
Romans 11;12-[Turn].
5. BELIEVERS ONLY-
John 6;33-''For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.''
John 12;47-''And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not; For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.''
2 Corinthians 5;19-''To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.''
The ''world'' in Luke 2;1 refers to The Roman World.
''The Whole World'' in Romans 1;8 refers to The Saints.
In Revelation 13;1-''. . .the wotld wondereth after the beast''-BUT SOME, DIDN'T RECEIVE HIS MARK;SO THEY DIDN'T WONDER AFTER HIM--
THE ELECT CANNOT BE DECEIVED-
Revelation 12;9-[Turn].
thus, the statement that, 'The whole world lieth in wickedness [I John 5;19], DOESN'T REFER TO THE SAVED, BECAUSE THEY DO NOT BELONG TO THE WORLD-THEY'RE IN IT, BUT NOT OF IT-
John 17;14-''I have given them thy word; and the world hath hateth them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.''
Now, the word, ''WHOSOEVER'' in John 3;16, refers to the world-wide application of God's Purpose.
Thus, Salvation is not confined to one particular nation, or rank.
The word ''WHOSOEVER'' refers to both Gentiles and Jews.
Now I believe in whosoever will-but the question is;
''Who can will/''
You see, The Will, that is to determine, is the same will, that must be determined, by Grace.
The disease is in the will.
How can a diseased will provide the cure, for a depraved soul/
The Great Truth announced Here, to The Religious Jew is;
that The Gentile, is included in God's love, and that, The Jews are not the exclusive object of His Affections.
The World in John 3;16-17 is that of ''ELECT JEWS AND ELECT GENTILES''-for Whose Salvation Christ came, into The World.
Now, LISTEN-If Jesus Christ procured through His Death, a possibility of salvation, He only removed the insuperable obstruction, that man might become his own Saviour.
And that would exalt Man's Goodness and Power, but not, The Merit and Grace of God.
Did Christ only make Salvation possible, by His Death, and man may make his damnation certain, by his unbelief/
If The Lord failed in His Purpose, then, why was He exalted, to give Repentance and Remission of Sins/
Acts 5;31-''Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.''
What sense can there be in interpreting the word, ''world,'' to mean every individual, when God purposes that only believers shall benefit from His love/
This verse begins in Eternity with God, and ends in Eternity with man.
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