| He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life |
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| http://whowillyouserve.blogspot.com/2010/05/everlasting-life.html |
Jesus said in the New Testament Gospel (book) of John: 3:16:
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. (King James Bible) (KJB) This verse could be
the best known gospel (meaning the "good news") verse. Both the English Standard Version
(ESV) and New International Version (NIV) replace "everlasting life" with "eternal life." This is not wrong, but, it seems to me "everlasting" is much more "down to earth,"
plain old, everyday, descriptive. Obviously, once one obtains "everlasting life," it
is obviously, EVERLASTING -- IT LASTS FOREVER - YOU CAN NEVER LOOSE IT! The KJB seems to use this word, "everlasting," in about 1/3 of verses needing it, and "eternal"
in about 2/3 of verses needing it. This reinforces the concept of permanence
in all such verses. The Blue Letter Bible cites the Strong's concordance word #G166 (aiōnios) as meaning: 1) without beginning and end, that which
always has been and always will be 2) without beginning 3)
without end, never to cease, everlasting So, "eternal," used in the modern versions is ok, but
I say, not nearly as descriptive. It is good the KJB uses them interchangeably. The New Testament
book of Ephesians says as follows (1:12-14): 12That we should be to the praise of his glory,
who first trusted in Christ. 13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard
the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit
of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the
redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Notice, that, when we "trust," in The Lord Jesus Christ, which means to believe in/on him and embrace
him, we are SEALED by the Holy Spirit. Notice, also, that the Holy
Spirit is God's EARNEST (like earnest money, as a down payment on a car or house) assuring us of God's purchase of
us, and his guarantee to return to take us to heaven. But, the Bible warns us,
also, that we need to be diligent to make sure of our genuine decision of faith in Jesus Christ. |
| For God so loved the world, that he gave his only |
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| Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. -- Jesus Christ |
In John 3:3 Jesus Christ said we must be "born again," that is, of God's Spirit
in addition to our human flesh and blood birth: 1There was a man
of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2The
same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these
miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3Jesus
answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he
is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5Jesus
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. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and
that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Marvel not
that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8The wind
bloweth where it listeth, 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. In John 1:12 we are told, regarding Jesus Christ: 12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe
on his name: 13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the
flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Salvation, also known as redemption, requires a spiritual birth
by God the Father. Thus, the new believer is genuinely a child of God, with a God nature. God cannot die, and neither
can his children. Salvation is permanent. But, again we need to make very sure that we really are
his children. 1 Peter 2:2 says: 2As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk
of the word, that ye may grow thereby: Just as newborn human babies are hungry for milk, so God's spiritual children
have a hunger and thirst for the milk of God's word. Christians generally call the Bible, "God's Word," but,
we must be careful. We must be choosy. Modern Bible are swayed by market forces (the financial bottom line) and
by liberal theology, to move in the "politically correct" direction. So, I have several articles at this
site stressing the strengths of the old King James Bible. It was written during the "Golden Age of Literature,"
when expertise was at a very high point. It is a much closer translation than any others, and it comes from
the much superior "Traditional Greek Text, (New Testament,) as apposed to the much inferior "Critical Text,"
With a little practice, one really can handle it with increasing skill.
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| Now the God of peace, that brought again from the |
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| dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant |
Because of the seriousness of this subject, of redemption, or salvation, Scripture warns us
to make very sure, to be diligent. Some use the phrase, "Once saved, always
saved." This is true, but I prefer to term it differently: "Perseverance of the saints." That is, God will surely work,
in the hearts and lives of all true believers (saints), his true children, so they will persevere, and God will bring them
to complete redemption. Philippians 2:12-14 says: 12Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much
more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14Do all things without murmurings and disputings. Jesus said in John 6: 37All
that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose
nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40And
this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life:
and I will raise him up at the last day. 2 Peter 1:10: Wherefore
the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
Hebrews 6:9: But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and
things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. Hebrews 6:11:
And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: Hebrews 6:19: Which [hope] we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth
into that within the veil; The entire New New Testament Book of Hebrews
is well worth reading. The message is -- that a believer should CONTINUE, to
PRESS ON, to KEEP GROWING, in knowledge, acquiring a broad, deep and complete understanding and relationship
to Jesus Christ, his person, and his work. That this is the best way to be sure,
and to remain confident until Christ returns to take us. |
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| Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even |
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| vour Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation. (picture vegannomad.com |
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