You want to see my sword James - you're on.
Anyone who does not understand that Faith is a Spiritual gift
and that the flesh has no part in it KNOWS NOTHING about salvation.
Being Saved - Saved from What? :-)
It is no surprise that men cannot understand prophecy if
they can not even understand the Gospel aright.
John starts his Gospel by setting straight that faith is
not of the will of Man but a gift from God.
Only 13 verses into the Gospel John said this:
John 1: 13 who have been born, not of blood,
nor of flesh's will, nor of man's will, but of God.
John and any good student of scripture and especially those
who have truly been born-again KNOW that it is not
and was not their human will nor their mental accent to the
diety of Christ that caused their spiritual rebirth.
Look at the teaching Christ gave to Nicodemus -
a leader in the church of that day.
John 3: 1 But there was a man from among the Pharisees,
his name Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;
2 he came to him by night, and said to him, Rabbi,
we know that thou art come a teacher from God, for none
can do these signs that thou doest unless God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said to him, Verily, verily, I say
unto thee, Except any one be born anew he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus says to him, How can a man be born being old?
can he enter a second time into the womb of his mother and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
Except any one be born of water and of Spirit,
he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh;
and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Do not wonder that I said to thee, It is needful that
*ye* should be born anew.
8 The wind blows where it will, and thou hearest its voice,
but knowest not whence it comes and where it goes:
thus is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9 Nicodemus answered and said to him, How can these things be?
10 Jesus answered and said to him,
Thou art the teacher of Israel and knowest not these things!
Jesus asked how Nicodemus could be a teacher and not
know these things?..
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily,
I say unto thee, Except a man be born again,
he cannot see the kingdom of God.
You must first be born again (anew or from above)
before you can even see - how can you accept what you cannot see?
John 3: 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit,
he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Until you are saved you cannot see it - you can not enter it.
Look also at this spoken by Christ:
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh;
and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Being spiritually born is OF the spirit is not the flesh.
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
How many people quote John 3:16 without considering the
rest of what has been said from the beginning of John 3?
For someone to state
Re>> "Faith is an act of the will" << is the most
ridiculous and unbiblical thing that anyone could say other
than saying "Jesus was only a man".
These people who appeal to the will of men preach a different
gospel than did Paul - Paul said to let them be accursed and
accursed they are - depending upon their fallen wills to save them
rather than God's unwavering and unchanging mercy and grace.
In the flesh dwells no good thing !!
Paul plainly pleads:
Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am!
who shall deliver me out of this body of death?
Paul says "I am" present tense not "I was"
Paul knows that in the flesh dwells nothing good..
Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,)
dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me;
but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Paul plainly states that even after being born again within
his flesh there dwells no good thing - his flesh remains
carnal and the enemy of God and righteousness - this is
what he calls the "body of death" (this refers to a very
cruel punishment inflicted by the Romans that few know
about wherein the body of someone whom you murdered was tied
to your back and they let that body rot against you own so that
you shared in their death - the worms would eat both
your victim's flesh as well as your own -
many died from this punishment)
What John said in a single verse - Paul expounds in the
first 9 chapters of Romans.
In fact when one considers the rest of what was stated in Romans -
Paul only goes on to express his deep love for his fellow Jews
and some brief instructions to the church.
John 1:13 is Romans in essence.
John 1: 13 who have been born, not of blood,
nor of flesh's will, nor of man's will, but of God.
NOT OF BLOOD
In the time of Christ the doctrine of ELECTION was not disputed.
It was accepted but twisted.
The Jews had concluded that those who are born Jews and
circumcised and who kept the commandments of God were saved
but most felt that the gentiles could not be saved.
They had the same attitude as some had about Negro slaves
not long ago in America - that they came from apes and had
no souls. The very idea that gentiles were B>receiving
the spirit of God and being saved was all too much for them.
Paul proves that all men are under sin - that all men
including the Jews were dead in sin in Adam.
Proving this was a large part of the book of Romans:
Romans 3: 9 What then? are we better than they?
No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and
Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable;
there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
There being Jewish had not spared them from being sinful.
Being Jewish had not guaranteed them salvation either.
Paul proves this in Romans 9.
This was preached also by John the Baptist:
Matthew 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves,
We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you,
that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
Being of the "blood" of Abraham was meaningless in spiritual terms.
They had to be born again - not simply a descendant of the right blood.
This was taught and re-taught at that time.
Galatians 4:22 For it is written, that Abraham had two
sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
Paul shows that being a "son of Abraham" meant little.
Romans 9:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham,
are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
Paul shows that even Abraham had 2 sons and one was the son
of promise the other was not and then goes on to teach that
even his grandsons who were born to Isaac were again
separated by God through election.
Look:
Romans 9:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham,
are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh,
these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
9 For this is the word of promise,
At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.
10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived
by one, even by our father Isaac;
11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having
done any good or evil,
that the purpose of God according to election might stand,
not of works, but of him that calleth;)
12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
Being "children of the flesh" or in other words "of the blood"
Paul shows plainly and easily that being born to a king may
cause you to have what is known as "Royal Blood" among men
but in the spiritual kingdom being born in the right family
or nation means nothing !!
YOU MUST BE BORN OF THE SPIRIT
Here is another paraphrase of that same verse:
John 1: 13 who were begotten as such not by human descent,
nor through an impulse of their own nature, nor through
the will of a human father, but from God.
Being Jewish was at that time actually an impediment.
Gentiles were being saved in large numbers but ...
of the Jews few were being chosen of God.
The Jews - the people of God - the elect nation - were
about to suffer under the God of Vengeance rather than a God of Mercy.
Paul argued that some were being saved and that it was
tearing him apart that most of his Jewish brothers were
furiously tearing toward judgment rather than repenting and being saved.
Romans 9:3 For I could pray to be accursed from Christ on
behalf of my brethren, my human kinsfolk - for such the Israelites are.
Or:
Romans 9: 3 For I could wish that myself were accursed
from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption,
and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law,
and the service of God, and the promises;
5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came,
who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect.
For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham,
are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
Paul and others plainly teach that being saved not
belonging to the elect nation or an elect family but being
personally elected unto salvation - being predestinated
before the world began.
NOT OF HUMAN WILL
Most men today will easily accept that having the right parents
or being of Jewish descent does not guarantee faith.
The verse also teaches however that the will of men does not save them.
Many people teach that
God is the biggest loser the universe has ever seen.
They teach that God tries to save everyone and fails.
Allow me to tell you that God -
THE REAL GOD IN HEAVEN does not TRY ANYTHING
While their practically helpless idol tries
- my God - the one described in the bible...
GOD DOES NOT TRY - GOD DOES
Men may try and fail - God does and never fails.
Daniel 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are
reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will
in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth:
and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
People teach that God will not go against the will of the creature.
Interesting - if man is by nature the enemy of God dead in sin
and God cannot or rather will not go against that nature
then none will be saved - no not ever.
I thank God He did not care that in my flesh I wanted nothing of Him.
God did not ask me if I wanted to be saved - he saved me.
Jesus did not ask Lazurus if he wanted to come forth - he
commanded him to come forth from the grave.
Dead men do not do good things.
Accepting or willing to be born again is not possible.
Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:
for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Paul teaches that the carnal mind - the unregenerate mind cannot
be subject to the law or word of God.
Romans 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
If a man must first "accept Jesus as saviour" before
leaving the flesh and being born anew a spiritual creation
- then accepting Jesus must not please him - seeing it is done in the flesh??
Why can men not see how foolish all of this is?
People accept Jesus AFTER being born again - not
in order to be born again or as some condition therof.
If man does an act resulting in salvation then that act saved him
he is saved by that act or work done in the flesh.
Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast
Paul teaches that Jacob was loved by God because of Election and
not by any works or good or evil done or foreseen by Him:
Romans 9: 7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham,
are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh,
these are not the children of God: but the children of the
promise are counted for the seed.
9 For this is the word of promise,
At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.
10 And not only this;
but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having
done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according
to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
People ask how can God hate Esau if Esau could do nothing to be saved?
The truth is that Jacob was the evil one according to deeds and
the will of the flesh - study them both - who mostly
deserves death?? - certainly not Esau.
Yet God hates Esau and his heritage after him suffers
God as a judge rather than a savior.
Jacob conspires with his mother to deceive his own
father into thinking he was Esau to steal the blessing.
Jacob previously waited until Esau was having a bad day
feeling weak in his flesh
and makes a 'deal' for a bowl of bean soup for his inheritance.
Jacob - when returning to his homeland - put his wives and
children out front in case Esau in anger decides to kill
them all - so that while his wives and children are being
slaughter he may have time to escape with his own life.
This give "women and children first" a whole new angle !!!
And why did Jacob think Esau may seek his death?
Because if he were Esau that is exactly what he would do
God does not have to save those who are the best among men.
Romans 9: 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on
whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on
whom I will have compassion.
God will save whosoever he elects unto salvation.
What is Paul saying about the will of fallen men?
Romans 9: 16 So then it is not of him that willeth,
nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Think about how blatantly similar that verse is to that of John's
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.
Jacob and Esau - born of the same blood.
Jacob and Esau - Jacob wills to do evil over and again.
God says this of them:
Romans 9: 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
John says it is not of the will of the flesh
Paul says it is not him that willeth or him that runneth..
Romans 9: 16 so, then - not of him who is willing, nor of
him who is running, but of God who is doing kindness:
Again:
Romans 9:16 So then it is not of him that wills,
nor of him that runs, but of God that shews mercy.
but of God is not an act of the "will of man".
Being born again is an act of God in spite of our sinful wills.
John 3: 6 that which hath been born of the flesh is flesh,
and that which hath been born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Thou mayest not wonder that I said to thee,
It behoveth you to be born from above
8 the Spirit where he willeth doth blow, and his voice
thou dost hear, but thou hast not known whence he cometh,
and whither he goeth; thus is every one who hath been born of the Spirit.
It is not the will of man that determines who will be born again
it is the will of God.
John 1: 13 who; not; of blood nor of a will of flesh,
nor of a will of man but; of God were begotten.
BORN OF GOD
Anyone who has not been born again - cannot see or know what that means.
Some who have been born again have changed the truth of what
happened and testify that it was their will that saved them.
It goes like this...
"I tried drugs and sex but I sensed a real void in my life...
I tried to fill that void with sinful things but until I tried Jesus nothing worked
now that I have accepted Jesus and allowed him into my life
and heart the void is gone
but I give all the glory to him - trust me with that !!!
You can not give what you do not have - you can not give
the glory unless you have first stolen it from God.
If the above is honestly your testimony - I doubt you are born again.
Did you find God - was God lost ???
...there is none that seeketh after God.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man came to seek
and to save that which was lost.
If you are saved it was God - not you or your precious will.
You life was empty but really...
You sensed a void? Your Gospel is void - of truth !!
As for sinful men accepting Jesus
don't insult God with such nonsense.
Ephesians 1:6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, in which
He did make us accepted in the beloved,
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that,
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
John 10:15 ... and I lay down my life for the sheep.
One of those Sheep -- Brian |
