28 Jun 19
Whoever "believes" in Him.....
Belief involves action. A person's words and actions reflect whether or not they are a Christian, and actually make the effort to follow the teachings and example of Jesus.
Or......is there a different interpretation of what "belief" means?
@chaney3 saidSetting aside the fact that John 3:16 is likely the words of the narrator of John rather than Jesus himself:
Whoever "believes" in Him.....
Belief involves action. A person's words and actions reflect whether or not they are a Christian, and actually make the effort to follow the teachings and example of Jesus.
Or......is there a different interpretation of what "belief" means?
Perhaps the most prevalent theme of what Jesus taught while He walked the Earth, is the importance of His word:
Understanding His word.
Not just understanding His word, but believing His word.
Not just believing His word, but following His word.
Not just following His word, but keeping His word.
Not just keeping His word, but abiding in His word.
Or if you want to look at it the other way around:
To abide in His word, one must keep His word.
To keep His word, one must follow His word.
To follow His word, one must believe His word.
To believe His word, one must understand His word.
Within that context, what does it mean to "believe" Jesus? To "believe in" Jesus?
Those who keep and abide in the word of Jesus, truly "believe in" Jesus.
Those who do not keep and abide in the word of Jesus, do not truly "believe in" Jesus - no matter how much they may claim otherwise.
This is what Jesus means by "belief". So it goes way beyond merely "make the effort". One must become righteous. One must cease to sin.
John 5
28“Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, 29and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.
@thinkofone saidIf you would spend as much time reading just the text instead of attempting to change it you'd learn something.
Setting aside the fact that John 3:16 is likely the words of the narrator of John rather than Jesus himself:
Perhaps the most prevalent theme of what Jesus taught while He walked the Earth, is the importance of His word:
Understanding His word.
Not just understanding His word, but believing His word.
Not just believing His word, but following His word.
Not just ...[text shortened]... d deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.
29 Jun 19
@thinkofone saidI'm curious if any Christians would disagree with what you wrote.
Setting aside the fact that John 3:16 is likely the words of the narrator of John rather than Jesus himself:
Perhaps the most prevalent theme of what Jesus taught while He walked the Earth, is the importance of His word:
Understanding His word.
Not just understanding His word, but believing His word.
Not just believing His word, but following His word.
Not just ...[text shortened]... d deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.
I know a minister who preaches every Sunday to what he calls a "captive" audience, because the members are obligated to attend the church service (for various reasons), and cannot leave the service or change churches. He stresses the importance of that fact because it allows him to preach "the truth" and not worry about whether they get offended by said truth and change churches because of it.
Furthermore, he feels that many churches water down what may be expected of its members out of fear they simply won't come back, thus affecting how much money does not go into the collection plate.
29 Jun 19
@kellyjay saidExactly. Belief means profession of belief or faith with the mouth. Once that is done then the person has the Holy Spirit and can then whatever they do is good. The doctrine is mouth worshipers dream come true.
If you would spend as much time reading just the text instead of attempting to change it you'd learn something.
@rajk999 saidYou have no idea what faith means if that is what you think. Changing the words to mean what you want so they suit your doctrine, again.
Exactly. Belief means profession of belief or faith with the mouth. Once that is done then the person has the Holy Spirit and can then whatever they do is good. The doctrine is mouth worshipers dream come true.
@chaney3 saidMost Christians would disagree with what I wrote.
I'm curious if any Christians would disagree with what you wrote.
I know a minister who preaches every Sunday to what he calls a "captive" audience, because the members are obligated to attend the church service (for various reasons), and cannot leave the service or change churches. He stresses the importance of that fact because it allows him to preach "the truth" and not ...[text shortened]... ar they simply won't come back, thus affecting how much money does not go into the collection plate.
It is truly remarkable how far Christianity has drifted from the gospel preached by Jesus while He walked the Earth. So far that the underlying concepts that serve as the foundation for Christianity are almost the antithesis of what Jesus preached. It's a self-serving system of beliefs.
29 Jun 19
@thinkofone saidDo you abide in the word of Jesus?
Setting aside the fact that John 3:16 is likely the words of the narrator of John rather than Jesus himself:
Perhaps the most prevalent theme of what Jesus taught while He walked the Earth, is the importance of His word:
Understanding His word.
Not just understanding His word, but believing His word.
Not just believing His word, but following His word.
Not just ...[text shortened]... d deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.
29 Jun 19
1 edit
@suzianne saidJohn 8
Do you abide in the word of Jesus?
34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.
31...“If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
35“The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever.
51“Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death.”
29 Jun 19
@thinkofone saidHow did you describe the text, you took Jesus' words and gave them someone else, that is changing the text.
What exactly do you think I've changed?
Even if we were to grant that, being scripture you think some scripture is not the Holy Word of God and some is? If a Biblical truth comes from someone other than Jesus is it less than a Biblical truth because Jesus didn't say it? If the Holy Spirit inspires someone to say or do something would that ever be in conflict with anything Jesus would say or do?
29 Jun 19
@kellyjay saidHow did you describe the text, you took Jesus' words and gave them someone else, that is changing the text.
How did you describe the text, you took Jesus' words and gave them someone else, that is changing the text.
Even if we were to grant that, being scripture you think some scripture is not the Holy Word of God and some is? If a Biblical truth comes from someone other than Jesus is it less than a Biblical truth because Jesus didn't say it? If the Holy Spirit inspires someone to say or do something would that ever be in conflict with anything Jesus would say or do?
Can you rephrase this? It doesn't make sense as written. Specifically "gave them someone else".
29 Jun 19
@thinkofone saidWho spoke John 3:16 according to you Jesus or?
How did you describe the text, you took Jesus' words and gave them someone else, that is changing the text.
Can you rephrase this? It doesn't make sense as written. Specifically "gave them someone else".
29 Jun 19
@thinkofone saidDid you “abide in Jesus” thinkofone?
Perhaps the most prevalent theme of what Jesus taught while He walked the Earth, is the importance of His word:
Not just understanding His word, but believing His word.
Not just believing His word, but following His word.
Not just following His word, but keeping His word.
Not just keeping His word, but abiding in His word.
Or if you want to look at it the other ...[text shortened]... s? To "believe in" Jesus?
Those who keep and abide in the word of Jesus, truly "believe in" Jesus.
While Jesus was on earth he claimed that he was sent by God, were those “words” of his correct!