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John 3:16 -- XII
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him -- John 3:16
For our study this week, we are considering the words, whoever believes in Him. Who is this group of people who believe in the Son? We can definitely say they are children of God, the elect, the chosen, the church, or the bride of Christ. They are also the ones whose names have been written in the Lambs Book of Life, Revelation 21:27.
John 6:39 says, "This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me, I should lose nothing." And John 17:2 says, "You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him."
Someone once said, "It is not so important that we know Him, but that He knows us." It is a good thing if we study His Word and try to learn more about our Creator. But knowledge about Him will never save us. We have seen in the past how the demons and Judas had knowledge about God; but it never changed them or gave them eternal life. That is why it is so important that He knows us.
When we are known by God, He will bring us into a saving relationship through the Son. Jesus said in John 10:14, "I am the good shepherd, and I know My sheep, and am known by My own." He goes on in verse 27, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them and they follow Me." Then in verse 28 He says, "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand."
It is like the All-State insurance commercial, "you are in good hands with All-State." When we try to make salvation about the free choice of man, that creates a lot of problems. Pressure cooker evangelism, emotionalism, mood swings, despondency, and good works can all cause false conversions triggered by people's emotions. But if the person continues to live a life of sin and wickedness, they were never born again from above by the Spirit of God.
Isaiah 64:6 says, "All our righteousnesses (good works) are like filthy rags. Church attendance, catechism classes, baptism, Bible study, and community service will never earn our salvation. Ephesians 2:8 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God."
On the other hand, the person who does not work and persevere until the end will never be saved. Sanctification is not an option for a true child of God, it is a necessity. Thomas R Schreiner deals with this subject in his book, Paul, Apostle of God's Glory in Christ. "The key to a changed life, therefore lies in the transformation of the will since we choose what we prefer." When God changes the heart, mind, and will of man, good works will follow. In a very real sense, every true Christian will work to be saved. Faith without works is dead!
Contact the author at: (thoughtsonword@gmail.com) if you have any comments or questions.
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Lyndon Stimeling, of Richfield, has been writing about faith and family for many years. He has self-published three books, Common Thoughts on The Word in 2016 and Eye of a Needle in 2017 and Common Thoughts on The Word II in 2019. He has also had articles published in The Coming Home Journal and local newspapers and has written a children's book.