John 3:11-21
I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven — the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.
Observations for living today:
You cannot speak with credibility on a subject you do not know or give counsel in areas you have no experience in. Can you describe what something tastes like if you have never eaten it? Can you paint a realistic picture of something you’ve never seen? Alcoholics Anonymous works because those who have successfully regained control of their addiction have credibility with those who want to succeed as well.
If a teacher is not believed when teaching about things known to a student, chances are the teacher will never be accepted when teaching things outside of a student’s experience/knowledge.
No person on earth has ever seen or known God except the one “person” who came from God – the Son of Man (Phil 2:5-11). No other teacher has known/experienced life on earth and in heaven or lives forever committed to helping His students/disciples (Heb 2:14-18; 4:14-16; 5:7-10).
The love of God is all about saving man. The fear of man drives him away from the light of God. The only way to overcome fear is to believe God. Key to driving out fear: believe the truth God gives you to know who you are and what you can be (Gen 3:8-10; 4:2-7; Jn 1:12-13).
Love God or love darkness. Hide in the dark in fear of what God is going to do because of what you have done; or, love God and come into the light He provided so everyone, now and on judgment day, can see what God can and will do when someone believes Him.
What does the Son of the Living God know; what has His experience given Him; what information or counsel does He have, which would benefit/help me, today, now?
Reality in Christ:
The words spoken by Jesus are credible beyond description. We have only one teacher and He is the Christ/Messiah (Mt 23:10). The Holy Spirit that dwells within us, leading us and helping us in every way, takes from what the Father has given Jesus and gives it to us as He wills it (Jn 14:12-15).
Some believe a man cannot choose to believe God, that is, unless God gives him the ability to believe or have faith: man cannot say yes to the truth of God and no to the deceit of Satan. This is true in part, but not like some think. You cannot know the Father unless He calls to you and you come to Him and learn (Mt 11:25-30; 15:13; 18:10-14; Jn 6:44-52; 6:60-71). An Admiral once critiqued our preparations for battle, telling us if we make an assumption about what we think to be true, which makes our preparation easier, the chance is high that we’ve made a bad assumption. Those who assume God is responsible for what they believe, that their lack of faith/belief/trust is the result of the Father not blessing them, filling them or giving them enough to overcome their doubt, are making a bad assumption. You are responsible for believing God (Heb 2:1-3; 3:1- 4:13).
Jesus said, He came so whoever believes the message/testimony/truth He taught would be accepted by God – not, He came so the world could see those who God made special (given Faith) receive life and punish those He did not make special (not given Faith).
Paul told us everyone has the same opportunity to believe in God, so no one has an excuse – “since the creation of the world all have seen God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature” sufficient to believe He exists. Those who did not retain the knowledge of God or worship and thank Him are responsible for suppressing the truth; they became fools serving created things, their thinking became futile and their hearts were darkened (Ro 1:18-32).
Once the crowd following Jesus asked, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” He answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent.” (Jn 6:28-29) Jesus brought glory to the Father by completing the work He was given (Jn 17:4). You bring glory to God the same way, by believing God and completing the work He gave you to do (Eph 2:10).
As you struggle with each choice/challenge, remember the father with a sick child who came to Jesus for help. Jesus taught His disciples and the man, while “everything is possible for him who believes,” those who do not believe God will limit their blessings. Immediately the man exclaimed with tears he believed God could do what was asked, but he also realized his fear created doubt and unbelief and so he asked Jesus to help deal with that, that is, overcome his lack of faith/trust (Mk 9:14-29; Mt 17:14-21).
The reality in Christ is you can say yes to God! Sin says no, I do not believe you or trust you. In Christ you can know God’s Spirit and do His will, for you are God’s child and His Spirit dwells within you.
I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven — the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.
Observations for living today:
You cannot speak with credibility on a subject you do not know or give counsel in areas you have no experience in. Can you describe what something tastes like if you have never eaten it? Can you paint a realistic picture of something you’ve never seen? Alcoholics Anonymous works because those who have successfully regained control of their addiction have credibility with those who want to succeed as well.
If a teacher is not believed when teaching about things known to a student, chances are the teacher will never be accepted when teaching things outside of a student’s experience/knowledge.
No person on earth has ever seen or known God except the one “person” who came from God – the Son of Man (Phil 2:5-11). No other teacher has known/experienced life on earth and in heaven or lives forever committed to helping His students/disciples (Heb 2:14-18; 4:14-16; 5:7-10).
The love of God is all about saving man. The fear of man drives him away from the light of God. The only way to overcome fear is to believe God. Key to driving out fear: believe the truth God gives you to know who you are and what you can be (Gen 3:8-10; 4:2-7; Jn 1:12-13).
Love God or love darkness. Hide in the dark in fear of what God is going to do because of what you have done; or, love God and come into the light He provided so everyone, now and on judgment day, can see what God can and will do when someone believes Him.
What does the Son of the Living God know; what has His experience given Him; what information or counsel does He have, which would benefit/help me, today, now?
Reality in Christ:
The words spoken by Jesus are credible beyond description. We have only one teacher and He is the Christ/Messiah (Mt 23:10). The Holy Spirit that dwells within us, leading us and helping us in every way, takes from what the Father has given Jesus and gives it to us as He wills it (Jn 14:12-15).
Some believe a man cannot choose to believe God, that is, unless God gives him the ability to believe or have faith: man cannot say yes to the truth of God and no to the deceit of Satan. This is true in part, but not like some think. You cannot know the Father unless He calls to you and you come to Him and learn (Mt 11:25-30; 15:13; 18:10-14; Jn 6:44-52; 6:60-71). An Admiral once critiqued our preparations for battle, telling us if we make an assumption about what we think to be true, which makes our preparation easier, the chance is high that we’ve made a bad assumption. Those who assume God is responsible for what they believe, that their lack of faith/belief/trust is the result of the Father not blessing them, filling them or giving them enough to overcome their doubt, are making a bad assumption. You are responsible for believing God (Heb 2:1-3; 3:1- 4:13).
Jesus said, He came so whoever believes the message/testimony/truth He taught would be accepted by God – not, He came so the world could see those who God made special (given Faith) receive life and punish those He did not make special (not given Faith).
Paul told us everyone has the same opportunity to believe in God, so no one has an excuse – “since the creation of the world all have seen God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature” sufficient to believe He exists. Those who did not retain the knowledge of God or worship and thank Him are responsible for suppressing the truth; they became fools serving created things, their thinking became futile and their hearts were darkened (Ro 1:18-32).
Once the crowd following Jesus asked, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” He answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent.” (Jn 6:28-29) Jesus brought glory to the Father by completing the work He was given (Jn 17:4). You bring glory to God the same way, by believing God and completing the work He gave you to do (Eph 2:10).
As you struggle with each choice/challenge, remember the father with a sick child who came to Jesus for help. Jesus taught His disciples and the man, while “everything is possible for him who believes,” those who do not believe God will limit their blessings. Immediately the man exclaimed with tears he believed God could do what was asked, but he also realized his fear created doubt and unbelief and so he asked Jesus to help deal with that, that is, overcome his lack of faith/trust (Mk 9:14-29; Mt 17:14-21).
The reality in Christ is you can say yes to God! Sin says no, I do not believe you or trust you. In Christ you can know God’s Spirit and do His will, for you are God’s child and His Spirit dwells within you.
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