John 3:16 by Brian Valentine
=== The Most Quoted and Least Understood Verse in the Bible ===
PART 1 John 1:12-13
*******Every Serious Christian Should take time to read this.*******
First before jumping into John 3:16
Let's look at what God in His wisdom ordained to be spoken to us in ORDER.
We must learn to crawl then to walk and follow the order given by God.
What leads up to those words being spoken by Christ.....
The Gospel according to John starts off explaining...
Who John the Baptist was and Who Jesus was .
John was a witness but Jesus was THE LIGHT.
John 1:10 Jesus created the world and yet the world knew Him not!
Then in verse 12 it states that " as many as received Him."
People "knew Him not" YET they "Received Him" ???? How can these things be ?
MOST MODERN PREACHERS ... have interpreted the word "received" as "accepted"
The word used for received is lambano
It can mean either
Active - to take with the hand, lay hold of, any person or thing in order to use it
Passive to receive (what is given), to gain, get, obtain, to get back
Active It can mean to receive as in catching a Ball
It was thrown but you must " Actively " and willfully receive it !
Passive It can also mean receive as in getting a needle from the nurse while in traction. :-}
You "Receive" it all right but you do not "Accept" It
This kind of receiving is "Passive" and not an "act of your will !"
EVERYONE WHO MUST GET THE NEEDLE WILL BUT SOME WILL FIGHT !
However in all honesty the word can be interpreted either way.
Active taking or Passive receiving.
How then do we know which way it is meant ??
By reading the very next verse.
***** THIS IS KEY - THIS IS KEY - THIS IS KEY *****
John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but
of God.
***** THIS IS KEY - THIS IS KEY - THIS IS KEY*****
Read this verse 13 first and then read verse 12 and see that
The word "receive" must be PASSIVE not ACTIVE
To be active the will of man or the flesh must be involved !!!
THEREFORE 'RECEIVE CANNOT MEAN ACCEPT' IN THIS VERSE EVER ! ======================================================================
To understand John 3:16 the previous and the following must be first learned . That is the way God
caused John to record this message and that is the way the Student must follow in order!
======================================================================
But you will say... next the thought reads
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
It sounds like God has enabled or given the POWER to BECOME
Is that not an act of our will ?? Verse 13 says no.
In fact even the Living BIBLE which I hate says:
he gave the RIGHT to become children of God sexually politically correct and all they got one thing right !
It is a GRANTED RIGHT or PRIVELEGE not some enablement of the flesh !
If you have a KJV with margin notes an alternate translation is noted as :
the right or priviledge,
Indeed we learn elsewhere that it is not us working for salvation but rather God that works Salvation within us ! Lest any man should boast !
***** THIS IS KEY - THIS IS KEY - THIS IS KEY *****
Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
***** THIS IS KEY - THIS IS KEY - THIS IS KEY *****
The Gift of GOD in Salvation is complete apart from our works or acceptance.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Problem = Sin and Rebellion
Prognosis = Condemnation and HELL
Doctor = The Great Physician - Christ Jesus
Needle = God's free Gift of Salvation
Patient = The Father's Elect ( chosen before the world began )
Serum = Holy Spirit
Cure = Immediate
Recovery = A life time !
Part 2 Nicodemus a Pharasee |
