All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
S.O.A.P. 6
Greetings all,
I will continue to try something on TheNET. I would like to see if we can engage in a Bible study using the forums. I hope to simulate a small group setting, but realize that there will be lag time. Here are the parameters that we will work with ... and this is open to everyone.
1) We are attempting to work our way through the gospel of John.
2) We will not tolerate negative comments made about a person or persons.
3) We are using the S.O.A.P. approach which = Scripture - Observation - Application - Prayer.
... 3a) Scripture text from the Gospel of John using KJV (no copyright attached)
... 3b)Observations about the particular text. What is being said, what is going on, who is involved and what might be the points being made?
... 3c) Application of the text/teaching to our lives today.
... 3d) Prayer pertaining to that which we have sought to discern.
4) It is appropriate to ask questions along the way.
5) I operating as the facilitator and teacher of this online group/class, but want the open participation of others.
6) At the end of each week (Friday's) I will close the current one and start a new one.
This weeks discussion:
Joh 3:10-21 KJV Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? (11) Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. (12) If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? (13) And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. (14) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: (15) That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (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. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (18) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (19) And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (20) For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. (21) But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Amanda on
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I also wonder, Roy, if any of us can even take credit for the good works that we do. After being born again, we become new creations, and we aren't those former things anymore, such as "fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners" because those things are of the old, and the old is gone and the new is come, "for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light" Eph 5:8, ESV. Our walk doesn't save us. We walk as children of light because we are saved.
We repented and confessed. Now, we can say "it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" Philippians 3:13, ESV.
Also, Ezekiel 36:27 states, "And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules" (ESV).
How can we take any credit at all for salvation, or even for the good that we do? Left on our own and to ourselves, none of us would do anything worthwhile, IMO. Truly, all of our righteousness' is filthy rags. We walk in His righteousness and He lives it out in and through us. That is truly glorifying God and giving God the glory and taking no glory for ourselves, or "our part" in His salvation of us. We must give Him all the credit.
I attended church this morning. It's only the third time I've gone this year, since 2014 began, but as I sat through the service and participated in worship and praise, taking communion, praying, I was very thankful that none of it was saving me. Jesus is my Savior. I can't save me. I wasn't doing it for me. I was doing it for Him! I was thankful for His mercy and forgiveness and love and understanding. I'd had a horrible nightmare during the early morning hours, and I woke up and immediately Psalm 23 came to my mind. I prayed through its verses, reciting each one and focusing on the Good Shepherd and I was comforted. I didn't want to try to go back to sleep. The hours passed and I saw that I had plenty of time to get ready for church. I made myself go. Guess what? The sermon was based on Psalm 23. The pastor looked straight at me from the pulpit and said, "You don't have to worry or fear death in Hell or God's wrath. You are free. The Good Shepherd bore all your sins."
I feel so very assured right now. Thank you for your prayers for me, Roy.
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Permalink Reply by JB on
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Amanda, I/we didn't go to church this morning, we are now looking for one that is not getting caught-up in the "emerging church practices" So happy though you were blessed this morning, it is amazing how the Spirit moves on our hearts, "called Grace" isn't it?
You said!
How can we take any credit at all for salvation, or even for the good that we do?
Salvation was provided for the world; all we had to do was to accept it when He called. So no one can take credit for salvation. God's Grace provided it; by faith you accepted it.
Blessings,
JB
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Thanks, Joe, and I appreciate the encouragement. It can be difficult to find a new church home. It's taking me quite awhile to return to a church but I like the one I've found and I joined it last summer. I know there's no perfect group. Where I go, there are a few "iffy" things that bother me but the love and warmth and acceptance is very real and it's Spirit-filled.
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Permalink Reply by ribbon on
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Yes, yes, yes.......spiritual belief, spiritual faith, and a real trust in God
The above is what I want... the "spiritual belief and faith" and real trust in God. I think I am trying too hard to believe on my own without any spiritual leading.
What does doeth truth to the light mean? Does it mean to be truthful to Jesus?
But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
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What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness..
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Permalink Reply by Richard L. Broch, Sr. on
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Greetings Group,
But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (John 3:21).
Janie, thank you, This is the whole meaning of the tread we're discussing here.
If a believer is "doing truth", he is doing the "work(s) of God. Isn't God's truth the only real truth in this world?
Spiritual truth, spiritual faith, and real trust in God.........ARE DOING THE "WORKS OF GOD .......These are automatic responses to our Heavenly Father and natural results of praise, worship, communion, praying, and love to Him.
Most people miss the true meaning of John 3:16 when it says "whosoever believeth in Him...." they think it as an intellectual belief only......without doing the truth that is part of "believing".
Most of the New Testament was (is) written in the Greek. Herein lies some of the confusion of the word "believe".
Greek for believe - pisteuo, the meaning actually includes, to have faith in, or upon, to entrust one's spiritual well-being to Christ, and to live one's life accordingly. This has nothing to do with trying to work one's way to heaven.
Also, there seems to be a problem here with the word "works".
Consider John 6:28-29, " They said therefore to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" (29) Jesus answered and said to them," This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." (N.A.S.B.).
The people wanted to know what kind of laborious duties it would take, to get close to God.........WHICH THERE IS NO WAY. Jesus told them the only way was to pisteuo Him.........but they didn't get it.......as folks still don't get it.
So, a person who is saved, will walk in the light, doing the truth, because his deeds (works) are wrought in God. Amen.
Grace and Peace from Almighty God.
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Permalink Reply by thewatchman on
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Amen Richard, very perfect.
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