John 3:16 - A deeper look into what Jesus is saying in this verse, as well as the verses before And the verses after.

 

JOHN 3:16

A deeper look into what Jesus is saying in this verse,

...As well as the verses before

And the verses after.

Everyone knows it. Most can quote it….

For God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whosoever BELIEVETH IN HIM
should not perish,
but have everlasting life.

Many hold tightly to it for it's the Words of Jesus. 

Yet, so many overlook the Words that Jesus spoke in the preceding verses, as well as the verses that follow after John 3:16. 

At the beginning of John chapter 3, Jesus began to teach Nicodemus and all the Disciples who were with Him that night:

Vs 3 – Verily, verily, (meaning: truly, truly)
EXCEPT (unless) a man be BORN AGAIN,
he CANNOT SEE the Kingdom of God. 

Nicodemus was puzzled, wondering how a grown man could be ‘born again.’ He knew there is no way that a man can enter back into his mother’s womb and be ‘born again.’ He did not understand what Jesus meant.

Jesus explained just a little bit more of what He was saying in verse 5...

EXCEPT (unless) a man
BE BORN OF WATER
and OF THE SPIRIT,
he CANNOT ENTER into the Kingdom of God. 

Jesus continued to explain that He was not talking about a fleshly birth. He was referring to a spiritual birth. Nicodemus must have still appeared to be puzzled as Jesus told him… (John 3:7)

Marvel not (don't be in wonder or amazement)
that I said unto thee,
you MUST BE BORN AGAIN. 

Jesus instructed Nicodemus, His Disciples, and as many who will read and hear His words that we MUST be BORN AGAIN in order to enter the Kingdom of God.

What did Jesus mean when He said we MUST be BORN AGAIN? What did He mean when He said if we are not BORN OF WATER AND of the Spirit, we cannot see nor enter into the Kingdom of God.

Jesus was referring to water BAPTISM when He said ‘born of water,’ and He was referring to receiving the GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST when He said ‘born of Spirit.’ (continue following along as we look at more Scriptures to support this)

After Jesus told us: MARVEL NOT that I said unto thee, YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN, He continued teaching in the very next verse about the Holy Ghost that would soon come…. (John 3:8)

The wind bloweth where it listeth
(it goes wherever it wants to)

and THOU HEAREST THE SOUND thereof,
but canst not tell whence it cometh
and whither it goeth:

SO IS EVERY ONE THAT IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT.

Jesus was letting them know: you’re going to hear a sound when someone receives the Holy Ghost. He said, “so is EVERYONE that is BORN OF THE SPIRIT.

Nicodemus still did not understand and asked, “how can these things be?” Jesus gently scolded Nicodemus for not understanding what He was teaching… (John 3:10)

Art thou a master (a teacher) in Israel,

and knowest not these things?

Jesus, in essence, is asking him, “how are you a teacher of the Word, someone that others come to for answers concerning the Scriptures, and yet you do not understand what I am saying?” He continued on…. (verse 12)

If I have told you earthly things,

and YE BELIEVE NOT,
how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

Jesus was explaining spiritual things in earthly terms, and yet Nicodemus still did not understand or believe….yet. (John 7:50 reveals that Nicodemus became ‘one of them’ – a disciple of Jesus who followed Him privately.)

In the next several verses, Jesus revealed details concerning: Who He is; the upcoming crucifixion; how it related to happenings in their own history that they taught; and how it relates to what is about to happen to Him.

In John 3:13, Jesus is revealing details concerning who He is….

And no man hath ascended up to heaven,
but HE THAT CAME DOWN from heaven,
even the Son of man which is in heaven.

In the next few verses, He is revealing how the details in their history that they have been taught were a type and shadow of things that were to come relating to His crucifixion.

14 – And as Moses lifted up the serpent
in the wilderness,
even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
(Jesus is referring to His crucifixion)

15 – That whosoever BELIEVETH IN HIM
should not perish,

but have eternal life.

(Jesus again repeats this in verse 16….)

16 - For God so loved the world, that He gave
His only begotten Son,
that whosoever BELIEVETH IN HIM
should not perish,
but have everlasting life.

If you believe IN Jesus, you SHOULD NOT perish, but that does not mean you will not. Obedience to what Jesus taught must FOLLOW believing.

In John 3:17-20, Jesus is teaching us that He did not come to condemn the world. That was not the reason He was born as a baby in a manger with the cross as His destiny = to die in our place. Jesus came and died on the cross because of His mercy and His love.

He’s wanting every one of us to be saved. He’s not wanting anyone to die lost, but we must obey and follow Jesus’ instructions in the first part of John 3, verses 1-12.

The condemnation comes when we love darkness rather than light….when we love sin more than we love Jesus. John 3:20 warns:

Every one that doeth evil HATETH the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.

In other words, that person chooses sin over being set free from it. They refuse to submit to and obey Jesus’ teachings. They do not want to come to the light, because they do not want to hear warnings against their sins. They hate what is good because it does not support or condone their sin….it condemns it.

Jesus said in John 3:21 -

But he that DOETH TRUTH cometh to the light,

that his deeds may be made manifest,

that they are wrought (brought about) in God.

Those that OBEY TRUTH (obey God’s Word), come to the Light so that our deeds reveal that all that we do comes from God.

After Jesus finished teaching these things, He and His disciples went to Judaea where they BAPTIZED as He had just taught them when He warned: EXCEPT a man is BORN of WATER (water baptized) and of SPIRIT (receiving the Holy Ghost), that person CANNOT ENTER the Kingdom of God. Jesus was again showing us that we MUST be BORN AGAIN.

Jesus also instructed in Mark 16:16...

He that BELIEVETH AND IS BAPTIZED
shall be saved; 

Jesus is showing us that there is more to salvation than just believing = we MUST BE BORN OF WATER.

He continued in Mark 16:17....

And THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW

them that believe....
….they SHALL SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES;

Jesus plainly let us know that signs will follow those who truly believe in Him. He was also revealing what He meant when He taught that we MUST be BORN OF SPIRIT.

Jesus taught in John 7:38-39....

He that believeth on Me,

AS THE SCRIPTURE HATH SAID,
out of his belly shall flow rivers of Living Water.
But this spake He of the Spirit,
which they that believe on Him should receive:
for the Holy Ghost was not yet given;
because that Jesus was not yet glorified.

Jesus was teaching us that if a person BELIEVES on Him, they SHOULD receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. At the time that Jesus was teaching this, the Holy Ghost was not poured out yet because Jesus had not died and rose again.

Those words that Jesus spoke in John 3:1-8 are as important as John 3:16.

John 3:16 is a summary of all that Jesus said in the verses prior, not to nullify them or for them to be ignored.

It is BECAUSE Jesus loved us with a greater love that any have ever known, He chose to die on the Cross to make the way for us to be Born Again.

That could not happen until AFTER Jesus died and rose again. He told us in His Word that the Holy Ghost could not be given until after Jesus was glorified. (John 7:39)

Whosoever believes in Jesus should not perish, because if you believe in Jesus you will read His Words, you will hear His Words, you will seek to understand, and you will obey His Words. 

Jesus said in John 14:15…

If you love Me, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.

Keep means: attend to carefully.

If a person claims to love Jesus, they must attend carefully to His commandments. Jesus is not referring to just the 10 commandments. He was referencing all that He has said and taught, which includes His instructions that we MUST be BORN AGAIN of water and of Spirit if we want to enter into the Kingdom. (John 3:1-8)

Jesus said those who come to Him, and not only HEARS what He teaches, but also DOES (perform, fulfill) what He teaches is like a wise man who dug deep, laying the foundation for his house upon a rock. It stood firm and could not be shaken when the floods came because it was founded upon a rock.

Jesus said the opposite for those who HEAR what He teaches but DO NOT DO what He teaches. He said they are like a man who built a house without a foundation. That house FELL and was destroyed when the floods came.

Jesus asked why a person calls Him “Lord” if they are not going to listen and do what He says? (Luke 6:46-49) Lord means: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding. The owner; one who has control of the person, the master. (Strong’s G2962)

Jesus asked in Luke 6:46….

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord,
(your Owner, the One who has power

and control over you)
and do not the things which I say?

Does Jesus truly have power, control, and ownership over you?

Are you HEARING and DOING the things which Jesus said?

Have you been BORN AGAIN as Jesus instructed?

Have you been baptized since you believed?

Have you received the Holy Ghost and spoke with new tongues since you believed?

Marvel not that Jesus said you MUST be BORN AGAIN (of water and of Spirit) as He instructed in John 3:1-8 directly before He mentioned John 3:16.

Using I'm Human as an Excuse Sin

 People say, "God knows I'm human" as an excuse to continue sinning,

but the Bible says in Romans 6.....

1 - What shall we say then?
SHALL WE CONTINUE IN SIN,
that grace may abound?
2 - GOD FORBID!
How shall WE,
that ARE DEAD TO SIN,
live any longer therein?

SHALL WE CONTINUE IN SIN?
GOD FORBID!

When we become NEW CREATURES in Christ,  we ARE DEAD TO SIN.

Dead to sin!
That means sin no longer has a hold of you.

The only way sin revives and once again gains hold of a person:
* is not praying or reading their Bible much if at all.
* They become more carnal than spiritual.
* They are walking after the flesh rather than walking in the Spirit. (Romans 8:5)

We cannot use grace as an excuse to continue sinning, because...
* The carnal mind (the carnal way of thinking and living) is enmity (hatred/hostility) and is against God. (Rom 8:7)
*we are to be dead to sin.
* We cannot continue in sin and please God.

Romans 8:1 and again in verse 4 admonishes us to...
Walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

For to be carnally minded is death;
but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Vs 6)

If you mess up, don't give up!

The Bible doesn't say, "IF I fall.." 

It says, "WHEN I fall..."

WHEN you fail, falter, and get of coarse with Jesus, repent, get back up, and keep living for Him.

Micah 7:8 KJV — Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.

The Cross

The Cross

People wear it around their necks on a chain
They display it on their door
But do they ever stop to realize the weight of the Cross
And its true meaning?

The cross was heavy
It was difficult to carry
The weight becoming more burdensome with every step and every mile.
It was a place of torture, agony, and shame.
It is symbolic of death

Jesus said we are to take up our Cross
In order to follow Him.

The cross we like to take up is:
Lightweight
Easy to carry
Carried with pride

But....that is not the same Cross Jesus instructed us to take up.

His followers are to be like Him.
He was despised and rejected. (Is 53:3)
Jesus said the world hated Him, therefore they will hate us. (Jn 15:18)

The Cross was a place of shame for Jesus.
They stripped and hung Him naked, for all the world to see.
Yet, many are embracing the opposite - ashamed to dress Holy and modest while walking proudly around immodest and half clothed, striving to blend in rather than stand out and be separate. 

The Cross was a place of suffering for Jesus.
Yet, many today avoid suffering as they try to "live their best life."
The best life is not in the here and now, but in the one to come.

The Cross was a place of death for Jesus.
Are you dying to self and sin?

What Cross are you truly carrying?
The modern one that is light and easy?
Or the rugged Cross that Jesus said we must bare in order to follow Him?
What Cross are you truly carrying?

"It's MY Year!"

"It's MY Year!"

I've heard that said by many over the past several years.

I know they are trying to speak faith and proclaim victory. 

But when we focus on it becoming "my" year for "great things to happen," we are often left disheartened and frustrated.

It will never be "my" year.

It will always be God's year.

Keep the focus on Him.

You want this New Year to be blessed?

Commit thy ways unto the Lord.

Meaning: pledge or bind all your ways to the Lord.

Psalm 37:5 KJV — 

Commit thy way unto the LORD; 

trust also in Him; 

and He shall bring it to pass.

Proverbs 16:3 KJV — 

Commit thy works unto the LORD, 

and thy thoughts shall be established.

May we draw closer to the Lord and commit all our ways and works to Him throughout this New Year.

Happy New Year!

Gain is godliness?

Gain is godliness?

Actually the Bible instructs to:

WITHDRAW thyself (get away) from 

those who think that gain is godliness.....

5 Perverse disputings (constant contention)

of men of CORRUPT MINDS, 

and DESTITUTE of the TRUTH, 

--> supposing that gain is godliness: 

from such withdraw thyself. <--

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, 

and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment 

let us be therewith content.

9But they that will be rich fall into temptation 

and a snare, 

and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, 

which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money 

is the root of all evil: 

--> which while some coveted after, 

they have erred from the faith, <--

and pierced themselves through 

with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God, 

FLEE THESE THINGS; 

and follow after righteousness, 

godliness, 

faith, 

love, 

patience, 

meekness.

18 ...do good, 

...be rich in good works, 

ready to distribute, 

willing to communicate;

1 Timothy 6

2 Timothy 2:19

 ...Let every one that nameth 

the name of Christ 

depart from iniquity.

2 Timothy 2:19

As Christians, 

we are not supposed to be 

"sinners who sin differently."

As Christians, 

we are to DEPART from (leave, get away from) iniquity (sin).

Thanksgiving Is More Than Just a Day

 Thanksgiving Is More Than Just a Day

A question was asked on Fb concerning who all had already decorated for Christmas. Many said they already had. 

One poster's comment caught my attention: "Thanksgiving is just a day but Christmas is a season." 

That is incorrect and not how it is supposed to be.  

Thanksgiving should be a season that is kept in the heart all year round - focusing on and remembering all that God has blessed us with. So many blessings we do not deserve. 

I love Christmas time, too, but I do not want to rush past the one holiday that the stores cannot commercialize.... =

 the Giving of thanks to our Heavenly Father above. 

They've tried to change the focus away from giving thanks to God by calling it "Turkey Day" or "Friendsgiving". 

That's not what the day/the holiday/this season is about.  

Gratitude is the best attitude. 

Many grumble and complain about what they do not have, but I choose to be thankful.  

I choose to remember and focus on God, His goodness, and all He has blessed me with, the many times He's heard my cries and answered my prayers. 

Jesus, I'll never forget what You've done for me and my family!  

I remember and I'm so so very grateful! Thank You, Jesus!

The Body is Not For Fornication

 I have heard this passage spoke to me for the past several mornings before I was even fully awake.  

.... the body is not for fornication, 

but for the Lord; 

and the Lord for the body.

1 Corinthians 6:13 KJV 

Fornication meaning:

porneía, por-ni'-ah; from G4203; 

harlotry (including adultery and incest)

Because I felt the Lord leading me, I posted this on our Church page. It's not something most churches would post on the Church page, but it is Biblical Truth that the Lord is trying to speak to and warn someone....

Flee fornication - 1 Corinthians 6:18 KJV 

But fornication, 

and all uncleanness, or covetousness, 

let it not be once named among you, 

as becometh saints 

- Ephesians 5:3 KJV

Mortify therefore your members 

which are upon the earth; 

fornication, uncleanness, 

inordinate affection, 

evil concupiscence, (lust for what's forbidden)

and covetousness, which is idolatry (that includes coveting someone else's spouse - Exodus 20:17) 

- Colossians 3:5 KJV 

It is a work of the flesh. - Galatians 5:19

For this is the will of God, 

even your sanctification, 

that ye should abstain from fornication:

1 Thessalonians 4:3 KJV 

Hear God's voice. 

Heed His voice. 

He loves you too much to leave you in your sin.

It's Not In The Bible! Or Is It?

It's Not In The Bible!

Or Is It?

Some will say, "I don't see anywhere in the Bible that says I can't ____________ ." as an excuse and reason to do something that appeals to and pleases the flesh.

Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 1:9-10 that the law (rules) are made for (he then lists several sins)...

....lawless = not wanting to obey rules

....disobedient = not wanting to obey or be under authority

....ungodly = not religious, immoral

....sinners = a person who sins, disobey God's Word and instructions

....unholy = wicked, not showing respect for God or religion

....profane = characterized by obscenity or indecency; inwardly impure

And the list goes on.

Then he adds this clause:

" And if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine."

He added the clause:

"....And such like...."

after warning against several works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21

ANYTHING that causes you to walk more in the flesh and feeds fleshly desires and lusts fall under these clauses.

It may not be specifically mentioned but it's still covered.

Is it feeding the lusts of the flesh?

Or requiring us to submit our will to God's will?

We cannot use lack of specifics as a license to sin.

Are You Really and Truly in Love With Jesus Christ?

Are you in love with Jesus?

Are you really and truly in love with Jesus?

Peter thought he was.

Jesus asked him the question 3 times:

" Lovest thou Me?"

The first time He asked:

"Lovest thou Me MORE than these?"

Do you love Jesus Christ more than:

- your job?

- watching videos or spending time on tiktok or other social media?

- pleasure and fun?

- more than (you fill in the blank)?

- more than the greatest love you feel for your spouse, children, or family?

Do you love Jesus more than anyone or anything?

What are your actions revealing to Him?

Often missing church, prayer time, bible reading?

Because other things take priority. 

Make time with Jesus a priority.

THAT'S  how we show Him that we love Him MORE than these (anything).

This came to me strongly while in prayer.

Jesus is asking:

Lovest thou Me?

Lovest thou Me MORE than these?

Matthew 22:37

Thou shalt love the LORD thy God

With all thine heart (feelings)

And with all thy soul (every breath you take)

And with all that mind (what you think on).

Soul search and ponder:

Do I truly love Jesus Christ more than anyone or anything?

A Serious Question To Ponder.....

 A Serious Question To Ponder.....

Would you say to God, "I'm not interested in what you have to say."?

Most would be appalled at the thought and adamantly deny that they would tell God such a thing. 

You've heard the term "actions speak louder than words."

What are your actions telling God?

If you rarely or never read your Bible, you are by your actions telling God that you are not interested in what He has to say. 

And if you rarely or never pray, you are by your actions telling God that you're not interested in talking to and spending time with Him. 

We spend so much time talking to friends, chatting with them on the phone, and hanging out with them, but how much time is spent talking to Jesus (the One who gave His life's blood and suffered such agony and torture on the cross to purchase our salvation.) ?

We must not neglect this great salvation or treat it so carelessly. 

If you do not read your Bible every day

You are revealing to God

That you are not interested 

In what He has to say.

(The Bible is His letters to us)

If you do not pray every day

You are revealing to God

That you are not interested 

in talking to Him.

Take time

Make time 

Daily - Every Day

To spend quality time 

In the presence of the Lord

Talking to Him

And listening to Him

"Identifying as" ?

If "identifying as" something that you're not works

(such as a male can 'identify as' a female 

and vice versa

or a child can 'identify as' a cat) 

then why can't I 'identify as' any age i prefer? 

Why can't I 'identify as' 18?

and demand that others recognize 

and acknowledge it as truth?

WHY?

Because TRUTH is based on FACTS - 

both of which can never changed 

or be altered by what i choose to believe 

and claim. 

Science proves it

Forensics prove it

DNA proves it

And most of all God's Word will always be Truth!

There are 2 spirits at work 

- the Spirit of Truth

- and the spirit of error

Make sure you are listening to 

and following 

the Spirit Truth.

They Think We're Strange?

 They Think We're Strange?

Coincidence? No, more-so God led....

I just read this Scripture and was going to post about it, but then I found this in my fb memories. So, I'm reposting....

1 Peter 4:3-4 KJV

For the time past of our life may suffice us 

to have wrought the will of the Gentiles 

(referring to their pagan and ungodly ways)

when we walked in......

--> lasciviousness = driven by lustful behavior 

--> lusts = longing for what's forbidden 

--> excess of wine = drunkenness

--> revellings = carousal, letting loose

--> banquetings = drinking bout, carousal

(Carousal means the activity of drinking alcohol and enjoying oneself with others in a noisy, lively way)

--> and abominable idolatries = ungodly idol worship, worshipping the will and desires of the flesh

Wherein THEY THINK IT STRANGE .

THAT YE RUN NOT WITH THEM  

to the same EXCESS OF RIOT (UNSAVEDNESS)

speaking evil of you.

It seems strange to those who do these things that we are not doing the same ungodly things.

Some will even speak evil things against us because we don't.

Because there is a way that seems (appears) right to humans, but its end leads to death. (Prov 14:12, 16:25)

They do not realize or understand they will one day stand before and give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. (1 Peter 4:5) Unless they repent and change their ways. 

It seems odd to them, but we are not seeking to please man.  

We are striving to please Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous Light. 

So that we will one day hear Him say "We'll done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter in."

What did the scriptures reveal concerning the Holy Ghost?

What do the Scriptures reveal concerning the Holy Ghost?

THE HOLY GHOST 

this SIGNIFYING, 

that THE WAY INTO THE HOLIEST OF ALL 

was not yet made manifest, 

while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

Heb 9:8

* The Holy Ghost signifies the way into the Holiest of All.

He that BELIEVETH ON ME, 

as the scripture hath said, 

out of his belly SHALL flow 

RIVERS OF LIVING WATER.

(But this spake He of the SPIRIT, 

which THEY THAT BELIEVE ON HIM

SHOULD RECEIVE: 

for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; 

BECAUSE that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

John 7:38-39

*Jesus taught those that believe SHOULD receive the Holy Ghost.  

He that

BELIEVETH and is 

BAPTIZED

shall be saved; 

but he that believeth not shall be damned.

And THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW

THEM THAT BELIEVE; 

In my name shall they cast out devils; 

they SHALL SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES;

Mark 16:16-17

*Jesus taught that those that believe AND are baptized shall be saved.  

And that there are signs that shall follow them that believe... They shall speak with new tongues (which is the evidence of a person receiving the Holy Ghost. We find this evidence throughout the book of Acts.)

These are only a small portion of what the scriptures say concerning the Holy Ghost (which is the Spirit of Christ).

Romans 8:9

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, 

if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. 

-->Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, 

he is none of His.<--

Romans 8:10

And if Christ be in you, 

the body is dead because of sin; 

but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Romans 8:11

But if the Spirit of Him 

that raised up Jesus from the dead 

dwell in you, 

He that raised up Christ from the dead 

shall also quicken your mortal bodies 

by HIS SPIRIT THAT DWELLETH IN YOU.

* the Holy Ghost shows that we belong to Christ.

* the Holy Ghost signifies (indicates, reveals) the way into the Holiest of All... The place where God's glory dwelt. (Heb 9:8)

*Jesus taught that we must believe AND be baptized in order to be saved AND that the sign of speaking in tongues SHALL FOLLOW those that believe. (Mark 16:16-17)

*Romans 8 reveals the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Christ dwelling in us.

There are so many more scriptures that I could post. 

Some will take time to read a long post. ❤️ 

Others, will scroll on by because it's too long yet watch hours of movies. 💔

You do need the Holy Ghost dwelling in you.

Have you received the Holy Ghost SINCE you believed? (read Acts 19)